Elephant movement triggers panic in Sundargarh; locals on alert amid cropping season

Panic has gripped the residents of the Dharanidharpali section under the Bonai forest division in Sundargarh district as three wild elephants have been spotted roaming freely in the region, not just in the forested areas but also on public roads, posing a serious threat to people’s safety and movement.

The situation has become especially concerning as the region enters the peak cropping season. Farmers fear damage to their standing crops, with wild elephants known for raiding farmlands in search of food. The close proximity of the elephants to human settlements has caused anxiety, as people are now afraid to venture out for farming or daily chores.

Villagers have reported sleepless nights, keeping vigil to protect both their families and fields. "We are scared to step outside even during the day," said a resident of Dharanidharpali, adding that the movement of elephants has increased in recent days.

The Forest Department has swung into action, deploying teams to monitor the movement of the elephants and drive them back into the forest. Forest officials, along with local villagers, are working in coordination to implement traditional methods like beating drums and lighting firecrackers to chase the animals away without harming them.

“We are keeping close surveillance and trying to guide the elephants back into deep forest areas. Efforts are being made to prevent any man-animal conflict,” said a forest official from the Bonai division.

The forest department has also urged locals to avoid venturing out alone during early morning or late evening hours and to immediately report elephant sightings to the nearest range office.

This incident underscores the increasing instances of human-elephant conflict in Odisha, often driven by habitat loss, food scarcity, and shrinking forest cover. Experts suggest long-term mitigation strategies, including the development of dedicated elephant corridors and better forest management, to reduce such encounters.