Raipur, Jan 14 (IANS) At least 29 people were trampled to death by elephants last year in Chhattisgarh, one of the worst states hit by man-elephant conflict, the state assembly was told Thursday.
Forest Minister Vikram Usendi told the house that the government was trying to find a permanent solution to the decades-old man-elephant conflict and is willing to set up “elephant villages” in state’s northern region, comprising Surguja, Jashpur, Koria, Korba and Raigarh districts.

He said the state government paid Rs.42 lakh as compensation to families who lost their members in jumbo attacks.

He said that his department has registered over 9,600 cases of crops being devastated by tuskers and the government distributed over Rs.1.71 crore as compensation to farmers who suffered the losses.