More than 100 elephants moving through the Bagdogra forest range near Siliguri have prompted the forest department to warn residents against using forest-fringe routes during morning and evening hours and after sunset. Officials have also activated a round-the-clock helpline and are using public address systems to alert villages and settlements adjoining the forests.
The herd is currently moving through the Bagdogra range, about 20km from Siliguri town in the Kurseong forest division. The area, in the foothills of Darjeeling district, is known for elephant movement and recurring human-elephant conflict.
Residents have been asked to avoid morning walks and evening strolls on roads close to the forest, as well as routes along the forest fringe after sunset. The forest department has identified Kestopur, Lohasingh, Tirrihannah and roads leading towards Panighata as vulnerable stretches where people should exercise additional caution.
“There are over 100 elephants wandering in the forests of the Bagdogra range. As this is the paddy harvesting season, the elephants have gathered in the region while migrating within the forest areas,” a forester from the Kurseong forest division said.
The forester said officials had appealed to forest villagers and residents of nearby settlements to skip walks on roads close to the forest and avoid forest routes after sunset to reduce the risk of encounters. Residents have also been asked to inform the forest department immediately if they spot elephants and to keep a safe distance from the animals.
Officials said one common transit route for elephant herds runs from Bamanpokhri through the Balason riverbed towards the Bagdogra forest areas. Since elephants often begin moving after sunset, public announcements are being made to keep people away from these routes during vulnerable hours.
The alert comes as infrastructure development is advancing through the Siliguri Corridor. The Union ministry of road transport and highways has recently allocated ₹2,000 crore for a 31-km four-lane highway running parallel to a stretch of National Highway 27. The project includes five elephant underpasses, three major bridges and a road overbridge in recognition of elephant movement through the region.
Devesh Pandey, divisional forest officer of Kurseong, said the forest division would continue its awareness campaign on elephant movement and the safety measures residents should follow. The dedicated control room, 0353-2550453, is operational round the clock.
