Elephant herds create panic across Odisha: Villages ravaged in Angul, herd stranded in Keonjhar

Panic grips several villages in Angul district as a herd of 45 wild elephants continues to wreak havoc for more than 15 days. The elephants, moving across the Angul forest range, have been destroying crops and damaging houses, leaving villagers in constant fear.

Farmers report that the herd rests near the villages during the day and begins its rampage after dusk — damaging fields, homes, and property. The destruction has been so severe that locals say the elephant menace has become worse than any natural disaster.

Farmers across more than five panchayats in the forest region have reportedly suffered massive losses, with many claiming that the compensation provided by the Forest Department is meagre.

As night falls, villagers can be seen guarding the roadsides with torches, keeping a watch on elephant movements. Burning tires and lights are used in an attempt to scare the herd away and prevent them from entering villages.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Angul has assured that efforts are underway, and the elephant herd is expected to leave the Talcher and Angul forest divisions very soon.

"We have worked so hard to cultivate paddy. However, the elephant herd is destroying the crops and as a result the farmers are suffering. But, they are not getting any compensation for it. It will be helpful for the farmers if the government provides some compensation," said Darab Kumar Sahu, a local farmer.

"Nobody is paying any attention towards our pleas. What will we do? We are suffering a lot. Our paddy and houses have been destroyed. How much compensation the government will provide us. We will be provided Rs 25,000 to 30,000 per acre. But we are spending Rs 40,000 per acre," rued Surath Behera, another farmer.

Also read: Herd of 30 elephants stuck mid-river in Keonjhar

"Special camps will be set up in the area so that they will get proper compensation for their crop damage. We have also provision to provide compensation for house damage. Proper compensation will be provided for this. Elephants are not staying for more than eight to 10 days in an area. They have already started their movement. Hopefully, they will leave the place after some days," said Angul DFO Nitish Kumar. 

Meanwhile, Keonjhar district in Odisha witnessed another tense situation as a herd of around 30 elephants became stranded on an island in the Baitarani river for nearly 12 hours. The herd, which had been causing disturbances in nearby villages for the past few days, got trapped while attempting to cross the river.

According to reports, one injured elephant calf was unable to move properly, preventing the herd from crossing the river. The animals were seen struggling on the island for more than five hours under intense heat. Eventually, after about 12 hours, the herd managed to return safely to the Patana forest range.

The incident occurred near the Tribindha area of the Baitarani River under the Khireitangiri forest section of the Patana range. Late at night, the herd, which had been creating panic in the region for two days, was attempting to cross National Highway 49 near Dumurigoda and head towards Mayurbhanj district through the Baitarani river when they got stuck on a river island.

Thousands of people gathered on both sides of the river to watch the stranded elephants. The presence of the injured calf made it difficult for the herd to move forward.

"As we are doing farming, we are guarding our cultivation. The stranded elephants have been surrounded by people from all around. They will go to the forest. As there is a chance that they may damage our crops, we have kept our vigil on them," said Krupasindhu Munda, a local resident.

Incidents of elephant intrusion are being reported from several parts of the state, causing widespread concern among residents. Forest department officials, however, suggest that the herds are entering human habitations mainly due to food scarcity in the forests.