For last many days, the residents of both sides of Koel river have been spending sleepless nights due to the terror of elephants which are on a rampage there.
The Forest department is not taking any permanent measures to drive away the elephant herds from the residential area, alleged the aggrieved locals.
Source said a couple days ago, a herd of 11 elephants had entered into Pradhanpali area under Ward -1 of the Rourkela Municipality in the wee hours and caused havoc by damaging four houses. Now, again on Monday night, a herd entered into the Gundibali Basti near luhakera and damaged three houses there.
Source said the elephant herd on Monday night entered into Tainipur area of Kuarmunda block and damaged a school building, besides a few houses. When the villagers drove the herd away, the pachyderms crossed the Koel river and entered to Gundibali Basti.
During last seven months, the elephant herds have damaged houses, standing paddy crops and vegetables in Kuarmunda Block and certain areas of Rourkela Municipality and Steel Township in over seven occasions. Every time the forest officials say they are taking adequate measures, but the ground reality has remained same. Experts say due to heavy exchange of fire during the anti-insurgency operations, rise in poaching and deficit of fodder, the elephants feel insecure to stay in the Saranda jungle and prefer to enter into the residential areas.