Cuttack, March 8: Ropes coated with a chilli-tobacco paste are being used in an experiment to restrain the movement of wild elephants. Initial results of the experiment, being conducted in the Gurudjhatia forest, have been found to be encouraging, said officials of the Athagarh forest division.

Forest officials, along with an NGO, are using cotton ropes coated with a paste of powdered chilli and tobacco and used engine oil to control the movement of the crop-raiding elephants since Monday. “The trial carried out near Baula reserve forest has been able to control a small herd of elephants,” divisional forest officer (Athgarh) Arun Mishra told The Telegraph.

“Over the past four days, the herd came near the rope between 4.30pm and 5.30pm everyday and returned. Consequently, farmlands in Sarkoli, Jemadeipur, Pahila and Sasana villages to the east of Baula reserve forest have been spared,” he said.