Overview

• On the night of July 19, a male and female elephant with a calf charged a Kanwar Yatra camp near Mani Mai Temple, overturning two tractor-trolleys and triggering panic
• Forest Inspector Puran Singh Rawat led forest and police teams in evacuating pilgrims, deploying sound bombs and crackers and conducting overnight patrols to drive the herd back into the forest
• Authorities reported no major injuries and have stepped up vigilance along the Doiwala–Lachhiwala highway corridor, a traditional elephant movement route now widened into four lanes
• Officials issued safety guidelines urging pilgrims to refrain from loud music and bright lights near forest stretches to avoid provoking elephants
• Wildlife experts warn that highway expansion through established elephant corridors increases conflict risks and call for sustained monitoring of animal movements