Haridwar, Sept. 6 -- Doiwala legislator Brij Bhushan Gairola has flagged rising incidents of wild animals straying into villages and damaging agricultural crops, urging the forest department to take urgent measures to protect residents and farmers. Over the past few weeks, locals from Jollygrant, Thano and surrounding areas have reported an increase in elephants and other wild animals entering residential settlements and fields. Villagers say the intrusion has caused widespread damage to standing crops. "I have written to and spoken with senior forest department officials in this regard. The department must take effective measures to prevent wild animal intrusion into settlements and agricultural land. It should also ensure time-bound compensation for affected farmers," Gairola said. The MLA said representatives of several village bodies had complained about the losses suffered by residents due to frequent crop damage and the threat to livestock. "People are scared for their livelihood and safety. This problem needs a concrete solution and not just temporary fixes," he added. Local leaders too have demanded urgent relief. Simlasi Grant village head, Sushma Bora, said elephant herds recently damaged large stretches of farmland in the area, causing heavy losses to farmers. "The government should provide compensation to all affected farmers at the earliest," she said in a statement. Forest officials admitted the problem has escalated but said preventive measures were being strengthened. "We increased patrolling in areas prone to wild animal movement and are carrying out fencing work where needed," said NL Dobhal, forest ranger of Thano range....