Keonjhar/Dhenkanal: Herds of elephants have caused massive damage to paddy fields in different places of Keonjhar and Dhenkanal districts over the last two days.
A herd of 30 pachyderms damaged crops in Nuagaan, Dabarchuan, Katugaan and Rajigaan in Keonjhar. According to sources, the farmers in these areas are spending sleepless nights to protect their crops from elephant menace.
Around 20 forest officials are camping in the area. Two teams of forest guards led by officials have been formed to drive the animals away from the village.
"An elephant herd has stayed into a small forest near Nuagaan village. Two teams are camping in the area to protect the public and their crops. We don't want to disturb the animals in daytime and are trying to disperse them soon after they come out of the forest," Sanjeev Kumar Rout, Keonjhar Sadar forester said.
Also Read: Jumbo problem: Herd of over 150 elephants near Keonjhar border
“The jumbos stay in the forest near our village and enter into the field during night-time. The elephants are not leaving our village and damaging our crops," said a farmer.
Similarly, around 40 wild elephants have entered Kankadahada block in Dhenkanal district and destroyed paddy fields in Dasipur and nearby villages.
Already hit by the drought, farmers have demanded assistance from government.
"We tried hard to save our crops despite scanty rainfall. But, our hopes are now dashed as the elephants destroyed the standing crops on Monday night. We are under severe mental stress. We seek assistance from government to compensate the losses," said Purandra Nayak, a local farmer.