Farmer Killed by Wild Elephants in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, UP; Authorities Step Up Patrolling

Lakhimpur Kheri, December 10, 2025: A 45-year-old farmer lost his life after being attacked by a herd of wild elephants in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, highlighting ongoing human-wildlife conflicts near forest areas. The tragic incident took place late Monday night in Gulra village, located in the Majhgain forest range of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), according to forest officials. The deceased, identified as Ram Bahadur, was keeping vigil over his sugarcane fields along with two fellow farmers, Lalta and Sushil, after reports of wild elephants entering agricultural areas. Around a dozen elephants from neighboring Nepal forests wandered into the fields, feeding on crops and causing damage to the standing sugarcane. The farmers raised the alarm and tried to chase the animals away, but the elephants became agitated and charged at them. While Lalta and Sushil managed to escape, Ram Bahadur was fatally attacked. His mutilated body was recovered from the fields the following morning. Dr H Rajamohan, field director of DTR, confirmed that wild elephants frequently move into Dudhwa forests from Nepal, causing damage to crops and threatening human habitations along the forest edge. “We receive regular reports of elephant movements in these areas. They damage sugarcane and other crops, and unfortunately, sometimes these encounters turn fatal,” he said. In response, the forest department has deployed special patrolling teams to monitor elephant movements and protect farmers. Local villagers are also assisting as volunteers to help track the animals and prevent further incidents. Dr Rajamohan expressed grief over the farmer’s death and assured that the family would receive compensation according to government rules. He also urged residents in surrounding areas to remain alert and warned of intensified patrolling. The incident comes amid broader concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and its buffer zones are home not only to elephants but also to other predators, creating ongoing challenges for forest management and local communities. On Tuesday, forest officials recovered the carcass of an adult leopard from a sugarcane field near Divantanda village in the Bhira range of the Dudhwa buffer zone. Deputy director Kirti Chaudhary said the exact cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem, though preliminary observations suggest the leopard may have been attacked by another wild animal. The tragic death of Ram Bahadur underscores the delicate balance between human settlements and wildlife habitats in Lakhimpur Kheri. Authorities continue to stress the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in mitigating risks. With elephants and other wild animals frequently straying into farm areas, the forest department is working to strengthen safety measures, including patrolling, early warning systems, and awareness programs for villagers. As human settlements expand near forest zones, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for sustainable measures to protect both communities and wildlife. Forest officials say they remain committed to minimizing conflicts and ensuring that farmers can safely coexist alongside the rich biodiversity of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. : Farmer Killed by Wild Elephants in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, UP; Authorities Step Up Patrolling Tragedy struck in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, as a 45-year-old farmer, Ram Bahadur, was killed by a herd of wild elephants near Gulra village in the Majhgain forest range of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The incident happened late Monday night when Ram Bahadur, along with fellow farmers Lalta and Sushil, was keeping watch over their sugarcane fields after reports of elephant movements. Around a dozen elephants entered the fields and began feeding on the crops. The farmers tried to chase them away, but the elephants became agitated. While Lalta and Sushil managed to escape, Ram Bahadur was fatally attacked. His body was recovered the next morning from the sugarcane field. Dr H Rajamohan, field director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, said such movements from elephants coming from Nepal are frequent and often cause damage to crops and pose serious risks to local residents. In response, special patrolling teams have been deployed to monitor elephant movements, and local villagers are assisting as volunteers to keep the animals away from agricultural areas. The family of the deceased will receive compensation as per government rules, he added. In a related incident, forest officials recovered the carcass of an adult leopard near Divantanda village in the Bhira range of the Dudhwa buffer zone. Initial observations suggest the leopard may have been attacked by another wild animal, with post-mortem examinations underway to confirm the cause. These incidents highlight the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region. Authorities urge residents near forest zones to stay alert and cooperate with forest officials. Strengthened patrolling and early warning measures aim to ensure the safety of local communities while protecting the wildlife of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.