Expressing concern that they are spending sleepless nights most of the time, the residents of Pradhanpali and Jamunadip in Rourkela Municipality area have urged the Forest Department to take permanent measures to protect them from frequent elephant rampage.
Sources said a herd of 11 elephants entered into the RSP’s Ward-1 Pradhanpali area in the wee hours of Saturday and caused havoc damaging four houses of Keshan Kuanr, lochhaman Kuanr, Buturu Kuanr and Gangi Kuanr.
Besides, they crushed utensils and other household materials like vegetables and groceries. Getting information, Panposh Forest Ranger PK Dhal rushed to the spot with his team and with the help of villagers drove away the jumbo herd to the other side of river Koel. When contacted, Dhal said he has given a proposal to the department for erecting a solar-fence from Pradhanpali to Jamsera.
The herd had also entered into the Jamunadhip village on Friday night. Houses of Rajkumar Sethy, Fakir Jhara, Jhubula Jhara, Siba Jhara, Ajay Munda, Amar Yadav and lambu Jhara were damaged in their attack.It also damaged a motorbike apart from paddy crops. The frequent entry of elephants into the residential areas has panicked the locals.