TV
Amid alarming incidents of human-wildlife clashes across the country, the city of Nilgiri, located beside Balasore, in Odisha recently witnessed the presence of unprecedented numbers of forest-dwelling creatures including large groups of wild monkeys and peacocks in human settlements.
Reports mentioned that a significant number of monkeys, along with peacocks and deer, have been observed fleeing into areas in the city’s vicinity as well as encroaching into major human settlements.
Sources also mentioned that such an influx is being observed more specifically in wards 2, 6, and 8, as well as the Podasul region of the Nilgiri NAC area of Balasore.
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As such, the sudden arrival of these wild animals into the urban spaces has raised concerns among the locals.
The locals also suspect that the animals may have either come from the Kuldiha forest or the nearby mountains into the city. However, they were not sure as to why this migration was taking place all of a sudden.
“As per what I have heard, people making houses and establishing settlements inside forests and the government is allocating lands for projects here is causing this displacement of wildlife,” alleged a local, Khirod Das.
Meanwhile, further allegations have emerged that the Forest Department has not yet taken steps to ensure the animals' safety from hunters. Moreover, city dwellers also fear the animals attacking them or getting injured.
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No response from the Forest Department has been received yet over this matter.
