Despite many efforts, a herd of nearly 90 elephants, including around 30 tuskers and 25 calves, sneaked into the Nilgiri area in Baleswar district on Thursday. The pachyderms came from the Dalma sanctuary and crossed West Bengal and Mayurbhanj district before entering the Nilgiri area. They were camping near Tinikosia under the Kuldiha sanctuary in two groups, forest officials said.
Panic has gripped Tiakata, Chainjhar, Chetamara, Ambajhar and Asanbani villages adjacent to the sanctuary due to the elephants’ presence. These villagers had earlier suffered house damages and crop loss due to jumbos.
“We are in fear as the elephants have entered into our area at a time when we are all set to harvest paddy,’ said a villager of Tiakata. Generally people of these villages take shelter in tree tops along with their household items even though the district administration makes arrangement to shift them to safer places. Baleswar DFO Harshbardhan Udgata said the pachyderms have strayed into the Odisha territory despite solar fence and trenches were put in place. “They pose a serious menace during their stay. We have already opened a round-the-clock call centre to inform people about the movement of the elephants. Twelve teams have been formed and deployed in two shifts to monitor their movements,” he said, informing that six schools have been identified for lodging villagers.
He said generators, crackers, drums, siren and fireballs are being used to prevent the entry of jumbos into the human habitations. Besides, uninterrupted power is being supplied to these areas, he said. local police and administration are also providing supports, he said.