Lone tusker roams near Dhenkanal town, residents remain indoors

A lone tusker has been spotted roaming the outskirts of Dhenkanal town for the past four days, raising concerns among local residents, particularly in Ward No. 8 of the Gajamara area. The presence of the elephant has left many villagers reluctant to leave their homes due to safety concerns.

Tusker Sighted Near Human Settlements

The elephant has been frequently sighted in the Gajamara area, which lies on the outskirts of Dhenkanal. According to reports, the tusker was seen roaming inside the village around 9 pm on Friday night. It reportedly ventured closer to residential areas, further escalating anxiety among the locals.

Damage to Crops and Property

In addition to concerns over its proximity to homes, residents have reported that the tusker has been damaging crops. The elephant has allegedly consumed and destroyed paddy belonging to villagers, and there are also reports of it breaking and eating banana plants in the area. These incidents have raised alarms among villagers, who rely on their crops for sustenance.

Forest Department Monitoring Situation

The tusker is believed to normally reside in the Saptasajya forest, located nearby, and typically moves towards human settlements at night in search of food. During these nighttime excursions, the elephant reportedly feeds on stored paddy and damages crops, which has led to significant frustration among villagers.

Despite being informed multiple times about the tusker’s presence and movements, residents allege that the Forest Department has not taken any concrete steps to address the issue.

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Villagers have demanded immediate action from the authorities to drive the elephant away from the residential areas and prevent further damage to their property and crops.