Burdwan: Pressure was installed on forest officials in East Burdwan to expel the elephant herd, who had deviated to Ausgram four days ago, from agricultural land adjacent to the villages.
The animals were reported to damage two houses in Pratappur under the initial Ausgram (II) on Monday and also pose a threat to plants.
Forest officials said the elephants were almost attacked when efforts were made to drive them away.
Forest and district administration officials held a meeting on Monday to determine how to send them back to the forest.
The meeting was held at short notice, attended by the Gopal Banerjee, BDO Ausgram (II); Nisha Goshwami, DFO East Burdwan; Syed Haider Ali, Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti; Abhedananda Thander, MLA; Syamaprasad Lohar, East Burdwan Zilla Parishad Karmadhyaksha, Forest Official, Police and Farmers.
BDO told Tii: “Forty nine elephants are still roaming in separate groups at Jungle Pratappur.
They are reluctant to leave their calves and get enough food and water.
Forest officials seek help from farmers and villagers and urge them to disrupt elephants , enter their path or explode crackers.
Otherwise animals can reply and the situation will release control.
“” Since the party Hulla member, who came from Bankura, did not know about this corridor, they failed to expel the herd.
Forest officers returned the elephant on the day Monday and will start driving it from Tuesday during the day.
Officials will choose routes in the corridor that elephants can take after 2-3km running, “BDO added.
Another problem discussed at the meeting is compensation for farmers whose plants are damaged.