In yet another incidence of man-animal conflict, a wild boar was beaten to death allegedly by some villagers of Pravakarpur under Kendrapada district’s Mahakalapada forest range on Saturday.
According to Mahakalapada Forest Ranger Bijay Kumar Parida, some people of Pravakarpur attacked two wild boars on Saturday. While one boar died in their attack, another was rescued and released into the forest.
According to information, some villagers had first tried to drive away the boars apprehending that the two animals would destroy their paddy, which is in the harvesting stage now. But they were forced to attack the two animals as they entered into the village. Forest personnel later buried the body of the dead boar, which was of 40 kg weight, after autopsy. Meanwhile, locals demanded that the administration should take immediate measures to prevent entry of boars into the paddy fields and human habitations.
“Wild boars usually enter human habitations during paddy harvesting seasons. This year, they have started entering paddy fields and have destroyed paddy in some areas also. We would be ruined if measures are not taken to stop them,” some villagers said, demanding construction of fences around the Bhitarakanika National Park.
On the other hand, Ranger Parida claimed that local youths have been engaged on behalf of the forest department to drive out the wild boars.
“The youths have been provided with cycle tyres, search lights and fire crackers to drive away the wild boars from entering into the human habitation and paddy fields,” informed Parida.