Farmers devastated, cry for help as elephants ravage farm fields in Sundargarh

Terror gripped Patamunda village under the Koida forest range in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Thursday after herds of wild elephants wreaked havoc, destroying acres of standing paddy crops. Farmers, who had hoped for a bumper harvest due to a good monsoon, now face massive losses as the situation turns increasingly grim.

According to local residents, the elephants enter farmlands mostly at night, trampling crops and feeding indiscriminately. Alarmingly, one of the tuskers has allegedly been attacking people and has already claimed lives in the affected villages, leaving locals in fear.

“This year, we were expecting a good yield, but now most of our crops have been ruined,” said a farmer from Patamunda. 

Another farmer alleged negligence and lack of support from the authorities, adding, “We have not received any compensation from the Forest Department for the crop damage, and no serious preventive measures have been taken.”

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The damage is widespread, with multiple fields across the Koida forest range reporting losses. Villagers fear repeated attacks in the coming days as the elephants continue to stray from the forest into human settlements. 

However, no comments could be obtained from the Forest Department.

With the monsoon season ending and harvest time approaching, farmers have urged immediate intervention to prevent further losses and ensure the safety of both crops and residents in the vulnerable villages.