Panic Grips Locals After Elephants Stray Into Human Settlement In Mayurbhanj

Mayurbhanj: It seems there is no end to human-animal conflict as such incidents have been reported time and again from several parts of Odisha.

In the latest incident, panic gripped locals of Raruan and Sukruli blocks under Karanjia forest range in Mayurbhanj district after a herd of 23 wild elephants was spotted late last night.

According to sources, the elephants have been straying into the human settlement from neighbouring Jharkhand and wreaking havoc in these areas.

The elephant herd reportedly damaged corn and paddy crops, destroyed 15 houses at Jamuti, Jhumkapal, Jethama and Takudipal villages, and ate around 20 quintals of paddy in last four days.

Alleging that the Forest department has failed to drive away the wild elephants from the village, a local resident said, "The elephant herd entered the human settlement late night. The wild elephants also destroyed houses in our village. No forest department official has visited the village so far. We demand government assistance as our houses have been damaged."

On the other hand, the Forest department officials are keeping track of the movement of the elephants.