Elephant Herd Spotted Near Human Settlement In Cuttack

Choudwar: The residents of Choudwar are now spending sleepless nights after an elephant herd was spotted near human settlement on Thursday. According to reports, the herd from Chandaka forest area has destroyed crops in several acre of agricultural land.

“The elephant herd has damaged crops in over seven acre. Such things are happening more frequently,” said Jayant Baral, a local resident.

Trilochan Moharana, another local resident said, “It is now almost three to four years that elephants are straying into the human settlement and destroying harvest-ready crops. Despite repeated complaints, no concrete measures are being taken by the Forest department officials to keep the wild animals at bay.”

Meanwhile, senior Forest department officials informed that using fire torches and crackers, efforts are underway to drive back the elephants. At present, the herd has stayed put inside a cashew orchard in the area, said sources.