Last Updated:March 09, 2026, 15:02 IST The move to seek spiritual guidance comes at a time of high stress for locals. The Forest Dept has successfully rescued and relocated 9 trouble-making elephants over the months. The region has witnessed a series of tragic encounters recently, resulting in several human casualties and massive damage to crops and property. Image: Canva The persistent struggle between humans and wildlife in Karnataka’s Western Ghats has prompted a unique search for solutions that blend administrative effort with spiritual faith. In the Sringeri constituency, where standard forest management techniques have struggled to curb the jumbo menace, local leadership has turned to ancient traditions to seek relief for a community living in constant fear. On Sunday, Sringeri MLA T.D. Rajegowda, accompanied by his wife Pushpa Rajegowda and a group of supporters, visited the historic Anegudde Vinayaka Temple in Kumbhashi, Udupi district. The MLA performed a special puja and sought divine intervention to address the intensifying human-elephant and human-bison conflicts that have plagued his constituency. The region has witnessed a series of tragic …