The team of forest staff on the frontlines of the human-elephant conflict, known as the Anti-Depredation Squads (ADS), clamber into their SUV and rush to Athima Nagar, cutting through a tea estate. Dileep, District Forest Officer, Gudalur Forest Division. Hence forest staff are especially watchful between 6 p.m. till around 8 a.m.Gudalur’s residents, mostly farmers, have an antagonistic relationship with the wildlife and the Forest Department. Forest staff say the people living here view the elephants as pests, and hold the Forest Department responsible for their actions. The Gudalur Forest Division, despite being on the frontlines of the conflict, faces a massive shortage of manpower.

Source: The Hindu August 19, 2017 13:07 UTC