A herd of 23 elephants went on the rampage and destroyed all the banana trees belonging to about 20 households, grown in an area spanning about 40 acres in Namkhaling, Gelegphu.
The jumbos also damaged a small house and cattle shed, on Monday and Tuesday.
Forest Ranger, Singye Wangchuk said the herd hid in the forest, behind Gelegphu town during daytime and emerged when dusk set in.
But on Wednesday afternoon, at around 2 PM, the elephants had entered the municipal area, about 50 metres away from the main town.
“This is the first instance of elephants entering a town area,” said Sangay Dorji, the conservation and protection officer of the Royal National Park. He said the animals’ habitats are being destroyed and that they are crossing over to other areas in search of food.
The park officials, police personnel, and the locals tried to scare off the elephants by bursting fire crackers, lighting up torches, and beating tins.
They were successful in chasing away the jumbos.
However, park officials are cautioning people not to take matter into their hand if there is another sighting. The officials say the people should inform them instead.
The herd is said to have crossed over from the Indian Territory.
There are approximately 500 Elephants in southern Bhutan.
