The herd of wild elephants, which was stopped on their way to paddy and vegetable fields of Nayagram in West Midnapore has been diverted to their home in Dalma forest of Jharkhand.
"The elephants has taken the return route to their home after being stopped since April 15 near a jungle
here. The herd was seen crossing the Kangsabati river and following a traditional route via Chandra, Binpur, Belpahari to Dalma forest," Forest Range Officer in Jhargram Samir Ranjan Majumdar told PTI.
The herd of 80 elephants, including eight tuskers and five calves, were trying to cross train tracks in Jhargram and make foray into Nayagram where vegetables and paddy are currently being grown on the bank of Subarnarekha river, officials said.
Forest officials said the elephants were prevented at a jungle near Panisola yesterday to stop their advance to Nayagram, south of Jhargram.
Meanwhile, the elephants may take another route to Jhitka forest and enter Bankura district of West Bengal. But, that is unlikely to happen due to water and foodder scarcity in the area, forest officials said.