Herd of 60-70 elephants enters Teesta riverbed area in Jalpaiguri, forest workers keep watch

Jalpaiguri, 19th May: Panic spread in parts of Jalpaiguri after a herd of around 60 to 70 elephants entered the Gaurikon area near the Teesta riverbed on Tuesday. Forest department personnel have been monitoring the movement of the herd.

According to reports, the elephants entered the Gaurikon area adjacent to the Teesta riverbed under the Baikunthapur forest region, following which locals informed the forest department. Forest workers from the Belakoba squad rushed to the spot.

A temple is also located in the forest-adjacent Gaurikon area where devotees frequently visit for puja. During the movement, three elephants reportedly got separated from the herd and moved near the temple premises. Forest personnel later diverted the elephants to another area.

Local residents said they were collecting chillies from agricultural fields when they suddenly noticed the elephants and fled the area in panic.

Belakoba squad ranger Uttam Sarkar said the herd has been staying in the Gaurikon area of Baikunthapur forest for the past three to four days and occasionally moving towards the riverbed. He added that public announcements are being made to alert residents and prevent any untoward incident.