Elephant Attack Claims Life of Man Seeking Prized Mushroom

In a heartbreaking incident, a man named Gopen Uraon was killed by an elephant in the forests of Ranchi, Jharkhand, while foraging for the highly valued ‘Rugda’ mushroom, which can fetch ₹1000 per kilogram. The incident occurred in the Honhe Pakartoli forest, near his village in the Chanho area. Gopen was accompanied by his family during the search for the rare mushroom. The area was experiencing heavy rainfall. The man was reportedly so engrossed in collecting the Rugda that he failed to notice an approaching elephant. The elephant attacked, and Gopen succumbed to his injuries. His wife and son managed to escape the attack. The forest department and local police responded to the scene, recovering the body and initiating a post-mortem examination. Locals have expressed concerns about the recent presence of elephants in the area, who have been attacking villagers. Rugda, also known as underground mushroom, is a culinary delicacy known for its high nutritional value. Its seasonal availability, limited to the monsoon season, makes it a valuable commodity.