Tusked Elephant “Ramlal” Strays into Jhargram Village in Search of Food, Feasts on Raw Jackfruit Before Returning to Forest
IIE DIGITAL DESK : Jhargram, March 26: Residents of Kusumdanga village under the Jhargram Range witnessed an unusual yet familiar sight on Thursday morning when a tusked elephant popularly known as Ramlal wandered out of the forest in search of food and entered a residential courtyard, where it plucked and ate raw jackfruit from a tree.
The elephant emerged from the nearby forest area and began moving through parts of the village while foraging. In its search for food, Ramlal entered the courtyard of a house in Kusumdanga, located under the Pukuria Beat of the Jhargram forest division. Spotting a jackfruit tree laden with unripe fruit, the elephant calmly reached up with its trunk, pulled down several raw jackfruits, and began eating them.
The unexpected visit quickly drew attention, and villagers gathered at a safe distance to watch the elephant’s actions. While some residents recorded videos on their mobile phones, others maintained caution, aware of the risks associated with close encounters with wild elephants. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported during the brief intrusion.
Forest department officials were informed soon after the elephant’s presence was detected in the village. A team from the forest department promptly arrived at the spot to assess the situation and ensure public safety. Using standard monitoring and guiding techniques, the officials managed to steer Ramlal away from the settlement and back toward the forest without any confrontation.
Incidents of elephants straying into human settlements are not uncommon in parts of Jhargram and other forest-adjacent regions of West Bengal, particularly during periods when food availability inside forest areas declines. Experts say that crop fields, fruit-bearing trees, and stored food in villages often attract elephants, leading to increasing instances of human-wildlife interaction.
Forest authorities have repeatedly urged villagers living near forest fringes to remain alert and avoid provoking or approaching wild animals. They have also emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to minimize conflict situations and ensure both human and animal safety.
Thursday’s incident ended without harm, but it once again highlighted the delicate balance between wildlife habitats and expanding human settlements. For the villagers of Kusumdanga, the morning’s surprise visit from Ramlal will likely remain a memorable reminder of life on the edge of the forest.
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