Elephant herd creates panic in Valparai

A herd of elephants has strayed into human habitats in Valparai near here creating panic among the villagers, by destroying food items and damaging houses, police said today.
The elephants have entered human habitats, mostly occupied by tea estate workers, in search of food and damaged their houses.
They also began consuming salt-mixed soil, used for construction, which led to panic among the workers in Sincona, police said.
The herd razed to the ground the house of a woman, following which the forest officials, placed salt blocks on its path, so that the herd can deviate from its route, they added.

Forest officials are keeping vigil at all entry points to prevent the elephants from intruding into human habitats.