Baleswar BJD MP Rabindra Kumar Jena made a strong demand in lok Sabha on Wednesday to safeguard the people of Baleswar, Mayurbhanj districts and adjoining areas from the menace of attack by wild animals, including elephants and bears.
He pointed out that during the last three years, 483 incidents of attack by wild animals have been reported from these areas. That means on an average, one incident has been taking place in every two to three days. In the last 11 days alone, six people were killed in Baleswar and Mayurbhanj districts and several others injured.
Jena said that these incidents are primarily happening due to non-availability of adequate food for the wild animals in the forests, forcing the animals to look for food in the nearby human
habitations.
In the process, not only the crops and houses are being damaged, but also there is killing of innocent people, mostly tribals, by the
animals.
Jena asked the Central Government to take immediate remedial measures in terms of construction of shelters for local people, fencing, trenches, etc., so that the animals cannot come towards the habitation areas.