Elephant searches for food amid plastic waste in Karnataka, video sparks concern

A wild elephant was seen foraging beside heaps of plastic waste in Karnataka's Male Mahadeshwara Hills. The video has renewed concerns over littering near the pilgrimage site and risks to wildlife.

In Short

• Wild elephant seen foraging amid plastic waste in Karnataka's MM Hills
• Waste piled up after heavy pilgrimage visits over the weekend
• Video has gone viral on social media

A wild elephant was seen searching for food amid heaps of plastic waste in Karnataka's Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) as a video of the incident has now triggered outrage on social media.

The waste is believed to have accumulated after thousands of devotees visited the pilgrimage site over the weekend. The footage reignited concerns about littering and its impact on wildlife in the forested area located between two wildlife sanctuaries.

The area, which is home to the Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple, lies within a forested landscape between the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Biligirirangana Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve, making proper waste management particularly important for wildlife conservation.

The viral video shows the elephant foraging close to piles of discarded plastic and other garbage, raising fears that animals in the region could accidentally consume harmful waste while looking for food.

Environmentalists and wildlife lovers expressed concern over the sight, with many calling for stricter waste management measures in and around the popular pilgrimage destination. Several social media users also questioned how such large amounts of garbage were allowed to accumulate in an ecologically sensitive area known for its rich biodiversity.

Following the public backlash, forest authorities said they have initiated an inquiry into the matter. Officials added that action would be taken against those found responsible for the accumulation of waste in the area.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is situated within a forested landscape that serves as an important habitat for elephants and other wildlife. Conservationists have long warned that improperly disposed waste can pose serious risks to animals, particularly when food scraps mixed with plastic attract them to garbage dumps.

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