Bokaro: In view of repeated incidents of wild elephant attacks and the resulting loss of life and property in Gomia block, the district administration has declared 34 buildings as temporary shelters under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on Friday.The herd of five elephants, which killed about a dozen residents in Ramgarh, Bokaro and Hazaribag since January, again entered the district through the Jhumra Hill area on Thursday, causing an alert for residents.DC Ajay Nath Jha on Friday directed that schools, anganwadi centres, panchayat bhawans and drinking water buildings across Mahuatand, Badkipunnu, Pachmo, Tilaiya and Kander panchayats be designated as safe shelters. “The move aims to provide immediate refuge to villagers in case of elephant movement in affected areas,” the DC said.According to forest officer Sundeep Shinde, “The identified shelters are located close to vulnerable habitations to ensure quick access during emergencies.”The sub-divisional officer of Bermo (Tenughat), block development officer and circle officer of Gomia were tasked with ensuring basic amenities and operational readiness at these sites. The forest team was asked to monitor the situation regularly and coordinate preventive measures.The administration appealed to residents not to panic upon sighting elephants and to immediately move to the nearest designated shelter. Relief and rescue preparations were intensified in the block.
