Pawan Kalyan orders intensified vigil as elephant herds roam Chandragiri

Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh): Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests K. Pawan Kalyan on Sunday directed forest officials to maintain continuous surveillance on elephant herds moving in the Chandragiri area of Tirupati district. The Minister's directive comes amid reports of wild elephants damaging crop fields and causing panic among local residents.

In an official statement, the Minister said the elephants are currently moving in two groups within the Seshachalam forests. They have been entering agricultural fields at night, causing damage to crops and instilling fear among villagers. To prevent loss of life and property, Mr. Kalyan ordered forest officials to track the movement of the animals and keep residents of nearby villages informed at regular intervals.

The Minister proposed setting up special night patrols in villages located close to forest boundaries. He also urged officials to carry out awareness drives advising the public against venturing into agricultural fields during night hours or in vulnerable areas. He called for issuing warnings through public address systems, mobile phone messages, and local information networks.

To ensure public safety, Mr. Kalyan instructed that H.A.N.U.M.A.N. teams — quick-response units typically deployed for human-wildlife conflict management — be deployed wherever necessary. He appealed to citizens to remain alert and strictly follow the instructions issued by forest department officials.

Further, the Minister said compensation for any damage caused by the elephants should be paid promptly, without unnecessary delays. He stressed the need for a coordinated approach between the forest department, police, and revenue authorities to handle the situation effectively.

This incident highlights the recurring challenge of human-elephant conflict in the region, where expanding human settlements and agricultural activity into forest fringes have increased interactions between people and wildlife. Officials have been advised to balance wildlife conservation with the safety of local communities.

Forest department teams have been pressed into service to monitor the elephant herds and guide them away from populated areas. Residents are encouraged to report any elephant sightings to the nearest forest office or emergency helpline.