About 70 elephants which have strayed from Jharkhand’s Dalma Sanctuary entered into Baleswar from Mayurbhanj end on Sunday.
The pachyderm herd was expected in their annual sojourn after a pilot tusker was spotted in Nilgiri about a week ago.
The herd comprises eight tuskers and 20 calves. They sneaked into the district from Dulki forest range of Betnoti through Durgadevi on their usual route. Currently, they are camping in Gopalpur reserve forest of Nilgiri.
The herd is expected to move up to the Kuldhia Sanctuary. It is apprehended that the jumbos could damage the standing paddy crop extensively. About 70 per cent paddy crop is still left to be harvested in the field. In the meantime, the forest division has strengthened the trenches and solar fencing respectively. DFO HB Udgata said that the fencing and trenches were made to prevent the entry of jumbos into human habitation.
Further, the villagers have been warned not to store handia or any other alcoholic substances, besides fruits, through public address system.
A depredation squad has been formed consisting forest staff and volunteers which is guarding the villages with fire balls, drums and crackers, said Udgata.