Herds of wild elephants have become a new attraction for residents and tourists visiting the western Dooars in Jalpaiguri and Ghoksadanga of neighbouring Cooch Behar district.

In Jalpaiguri, a herd of around 40 elephants, which include a number of calves, are regularly crossing the NH31 in Nagrakata block.

“Over the past few days, the herd has been moving out of the Grassmore tea estate, crossing the highway and heading towards Bhutan in the evening. The next morning, they are again returning to the area. However, we suspect the elephants are going towards the areas where paddy is growing in fields,” said a forester.

As the herd is moving regularly on the highway and through tea gardens, foresters of the Diana forest range are on alert.

“It has become a daily affair. Many people, including tourists, are reaching the highway early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the herd, take photos and shoot videos,” said Vicky Goswami, a resident of Luksan, a locality in Nagrakata block.

In Cooch Behar, a herd of five elephants walked into Satisherhat, a village in Ghoksadanga of the district, on Thursday.

Residents spotted the elephants standing on the agricultural field, devouring green paddy saplings.

As the news spread, hundreds of people assembled in the village to watch the herd and take pictures and videos. A team of foresters reached the spot.

In Satisherhat, however, the farmers said they were in distress already. “The elephants are moving through the field, eating and damaging paddy. We have no inkling how many of us have suffered losses,” said farmer Gobinda Barman.

A police team also reached the spot. Bijon Kumar Nath, the assistant divisional forest officer of Cooch Behar, said: “It seems that the herd has strayed into the village in search of fodder from Jaldapara National Park of Chilapata forest of neighbouring Alipurduar. We are waiting for dusk and will steer the animals back into the forest in the evening.”