Herd of 30 elephants wreaks havoc in Odisha’s Karanjia, damages houses and crops

A herd of 30 elephants caused extensive damage, breaking four houses and destroying acres of paddy crop in the Karanjia forest range area. The menace has triggered fear in more than 30 villages. Late on Sunday night, the herd from Badadeuli forest damaged paddy fields in Badadeuli, Nuagaon, Chauthia and Dibisahi areas.

In Hatidandi village, one tusker allegedly broke a house and ate stored rice and paddy, while in Andharjhuri village, another house was broken and widespread damage has been reported. Farmers say the elephants, while moving through the area, trample standing crops and threshing floors, adding to their losses.

Locals have demanded that the forest department should take steps to drive the elephants away immediately. Forest officials said the herd is currently in Bagdafa forest and that personnel are keeping a close watch.

Locals Demand Immediate Action

Villagers have alleged that the elephants broke the fence of a house and destroyed a large quantity of paddy crop and a threshing floor. Traffic on the Karanjia–Chadei Bhol road was brought to a halt for some time on Sunday morning due to the herd’s presence. 

Locals have demanded that the forest department drive the elephants away immediately. Forest officials said the herd is currently in Bagdafa and Mata forests and that staff are keeping a close watch.

Herd Believed To Have Migrated From Jharkhand

According to reports, the elephants are believed to have come from Jharkhand. The same herd has stayed in the area in previous years due to the abundance of food and safety. Despite plentiful forest fodder during the monsoon, the elephants prefer easily accessible standing crops.

Widespread Damage Reported

Reports indicate that the elephants have damaged nearly 100 houses and destroyed crops on about 15 acres of farmland in surrounding villages. Residents fear that the destruction will continue if the herd is not driven away soon.