Huge migration, from Nepal

This is infiltration from across the border of a different dimension altogether. These migrants in Katernia Ghat Sanctuary are elephants that escaped the poachers in Nepal but the deforestation and Maoist activity in their habitat left no alternative but a crossover. The dense forests of eastern UP in Bahraich are no different from their old home — thick foliage, cane forests and the sparkling clean water of the Girwa river.

For the forest officials, the uninvited guests are a pleasant surprise. The herd, with 22 bulls, are quite a sighting in these regions. The six forest ranges here have a healthy count of deer, wild boar, tiger, leopard and lately rhinos but this herd, if it stays on, will mark a new entry. Another herd passed these forests in 2004 through the Murthiwa forest range in Bahraich to the Dudhwa Tiger Park. The migrants, this time, are from the Royal Wardia Park and Chitwan Forest in Nepal, bordering Bahraich.

The herd, however, has left a trail of damage behind. Crops in Amba, Dharmapur and Bharatpur villages have been flattened as it made itself at home at Belly, along the river in Katarnia Ghat range. “We have seen this herd and tracked them but did not disturb the natural movement,” said Divisional Forest Officer Ramesh Kumar Pandey.

“Today, we have rhinos and 11 elephants (besides the 22 which came now); every year, the herd of elephants on way to Dudhwa leave one or two pairs in the Bahraich range which is a good sign,” said the divisional forest officer.