It seems as if there is no end to the misery of farmers in Odisha. A few months ago, it was the drought-like situation due to which the cultivation work was delayed and hampered. Later on, damage was inflicted to several acres of paddy cultivation due to the torrential rain and flash flood triggered by the deep depression over Bay of Bengal . Now, the situation has become even worse for the farmers in Nabarangpur due to elephants.
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A herd of wild elephants from Chhattisgarh allegedly destroyed several acres of maize crops in Nabarangpur district. According to reports, villagers of Sambalpur and Kandetara under Raighar block in the district had cultivated several acres of maize crop. However, a few days ago, the wild animals allegedly entered the fields and destroyed the standing crops that were ready for harvest, leaving the farmers in distress.
“The crops were almost ready for harvest. We were hopeful of a good income this year. But the wild elephants have destroyed our cultivation and dashed all our hopes. Now, it has become difficult for us to make both our ends meet,” said Sanaraj Ganda, a farmer.
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Nabarangpur District Forest Officer (DFO) Magar Dhanji Raoso assured that the herd of pachyderms has been driven away to Chhattisgarh and the forest officials are keeping a watch on the movement of the elephants.
“We have deployed a team of forest officials at Sambalpur and Kandetara villages. The officials are keeping a close eye on the movement of the pachyderms and there is nothing to worry about,” said Raoso.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)