Erode, Tamil Nadu: A 62-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in the early hours of Sunday, August 9, highlighting the continuing threat of human-elephant conflict in the region.

The victim was identified as Pasuva Chetti, a resident of the Kamaiyanpuram forest area in the Jeerahalli Forest Range of Thalavadi, which falls within the reserve.

According to forest officials, Chetti had gone to his agricultural field on Saturday night to guard his standing turmeric and vegetable crops from wild animals. At around 2 am, a large elephant entered the field. When Chetti attempted to drive the animal away, the elephant charged at him and fatally trampled him.

Hearing the farmer’s cries, family members and neighbours rushed to the location. They managed to drive the elephant back towards the forest, while forest officials were subsequently informed and visited the site.

Human-elephant conflict remains a challenge

The incident underscores the difficult coexistence between farming communities and elephants around Sathyamangalam’s forest landscape. The reserve is an important elephant habitat and currently supports a substantial elephant population.

Farmers living close to forest areas often face crop raids by elephants, while elephants moving between forests and feeding grounds can encounter people guarding agricultural fields. Such encounters can quickly turn fatal when people attempt to confront or drive away the animals.

Forest authorities have begun an investigation into the incident. The tragedy once again highlights the need for effective early-warning systems, crop-protection measures and community-based strategies to reduce encounters between people and elephants while ensuring the protection of the species.