Elephants stray into NIT Rourkela campus, Forest officials launch operation

In an unusual incident, as many as two elephants strayed into Rourkela city and entered the campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), triggering panic among students and residents on Tuesday morning.

Forest Department officials rushed to the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. A team of personnel has been engaged in efforts to safely drive the elephants out of the campus and guide them back towards nearby forest areas. The operation is being carried out cautiously to prevent any harm to students, staff, or the animals.

"Since the National Institute of Technology Rourkela is located very close to the Rourkela township, priority is being given to ensure that the elephants do not stray into residential areas. The reserve forest is situated on the opposite side of the NIT campus, and efforts are underway to safely drive the elephants back towards the forest. Two elephants strayed into the NIT campus during the early morning hours. Meanwhile, another three elephants entered the Jagda area, prompting forest officials to take immediate action to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure public safety," said Rourkela DFO.

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"Forest Department officials are making all possible efforts to prevent the elephants from straying into residential areas. Nearly 8,000 students and residents are currently staying inside the NIT campus, and authorities are taking the situation seriously. Fencing arrangements are being put in place to ensure that the elephants do not enter the inhabited zones of the campus. There is no need to panic, as the elephants are presently confined to the forested area within the campus. Efforts are actively underway to safely drive the elephants into the forest," said a professor of NIT.