COIMBATORE: A wild elephant caused panic among motorists on the Coonoor-Mettupalayam highway on Monday after it damaged a roadside stall and feasted on jackfruits kept for sale.The lone wild elephant emerged from the forest near the Eechamaram area headed straight to a roadside stall where a fresh stock of jackfruits was displayed for sale. The stall owner ran for safety. The tusker pulled down the jackfruits and spent time relishing them. While devouring the fruits, the elephant damaged the stall’s structure. With wild elephant movement on the rise along the Coonoor ghat road, wildlife activists have urged the forest department to take proactive measures to prevent any untoward incidents. “We have issued a strict ban on vending jackfruits along the roadsides of the Coonoor ghat section in the coming days. Severe legal action will be initiated against anyone violating this order and continuing to sell jackfruits in the area,” said a forest official.
