Haridwar | ENewsXpress Desk
A tragic incident was reported from Haridwar district on Thursday, where a Van Gujjar lost his life after being attacked by a wild elephant while collecting grass in a forest area. The incident triggered an immediate response from the Forest Department and local police, who reached the spot to begin an investigation. The body has been sent to the district hospital for post-mortem examination.
Victim Had Gone to Collect Grass
According to officials, the deceased has been identified as Ehsan, a resident of a local Van Gujjar settlement. He had gone on Thursday morning to collect grass in the Kasawali Beat area of the Shyampur Range under the Haridwar Forest Division.
During his visit to the forest, he reportedly came face-to-face with a wild elephant. The animal allegedly attacked him without warning, throwing him to the ground multiple times and causing fatal injuries. He died at the scene.
Forest Department and Police Respond
Soon after receiving information about the incident, teams from the Forest Department and the local police rushed to the site. The body was taken into custody and sent for a post-mortem examination at the district hospital.
Officials also inspected the scene and restricted access to the surrounding area to ensure public safety and facilitate the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate evidence consistent with a wild elephant attack, though a detailed investigation is still underway.
Family Left Devastated
The sudden death has left the victim’s family in deep grief. Relatives and local residents have expressed shock over the incident and urged the authorities to strengthen safety measures in forest fringe areas to reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
Rising Human–Elephant Conflict
Areas around Haridwar and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve have witnessed frequent movement of wild elephants for several years. The Forest Department has repeatedly advised residents to exercise caution while entering forest areas.
Wildlife experts believe that shrinking forest habitats and the expansion of human activities have contributed to a rise in human-elephant conflict, increasing the likelihood of such tragic encounters.
Note: This report is based on preliminary information currently available. The details may be updated as the investigation progresses and official findings are released.
