Chikkamagaluru, After nearly 18 months of relentless crop destruction and panic among villagers, forest officials successfully captured a rogue elephant that had been troubling farmers and residents in the NR Pura region of Chikkamagaluru district.

The elephant had been roaming across multiple villages under the Kanuru Gram Panchayat, including Vagde, Kanuru, Balehittalu, Satvani, Gundvani, Gubbiga, Horabailu, Nerle, and Gonikoppa. Its frequent raids on farms caused extensive damage to plantations and led to significant financial losses for local farmers.

Repeated appeals from villagers to the Forest Department and elected representatives, including the MLA from Sringeri, prompted action. Responding to public pressure, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered the capture of the elephant.

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