Man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Chhattisgarh's forest. (Representational Image)
A 55-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Kudmura forest range of Chhattisgarh's Korba district, the third person to be killed by the animal in the past five days in the region.
The incident came to light on Monday morning when body of the victim Baldev Rathiya was recovered from the forests close to Chirra village of Korba forest division, Korba Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vivekanand Jha said.
Mr Rathiya had yesterday gone to pluck Tendu leaves in the forests nearby his native place Chirra.
When he did not come back home, his family launched a search for him early this morning and found his body, the DFO said, adding police and forest officials rushed to the spot.
The kin of the deceased were given relief amount of Rs 25,000, the DFO said, adding after completing all the necessary formalities, the compensation amount of Rs 3.75 lakh will be provided to them.
The thick forested northern Chhattisgarh, comprising Surguja, Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur and Korea districts, are notorious for human-elephant conflict incidents.
The region has witnessed several killings of tribals and widespread damages to houses and crops by rogue elephant in past years.
In another incident of human-animal conflict, two villagers, including a minor, were injured after they were attacked by bears in Kartala forest range of Korba.
"Jairam Rathiya (45) and his neighbour Ghanshyam (15) were attacked by bears in Kalmidaihan forests when the duo had gone in the jungle to graze goats," the DFO said.
They somehow managed to save their life and reached Kartala community health centre where they are undergoing treatment, he added.