Sajanagarh: The people of Nilgiri area in Balasore district Friday evening heaved a sigh of relief after the herd of more than 35 elephants that had sneaked in from Dalma sanctuary in Jharkhand left the area.
The herd took the route from Remuna via Durgadevi, Pundal, Radhakishorepur, Naduapal, Kansha, Kathapal, Ayodhya and Mahishapata to reach Gopalpur reserve forest. In the evening the herd headed towards Tulasidiha village.
The locals have been facing the wrath of elephants from Jharkhand for the last couple of years. This herd visits Nilgiri during the same period in search of food every year.
The farmers panicked when they heard the news of the herd coming to Nilgiri as they were worried about their lives, property and crop.
This year, they requested the Forest department well in advance to take necessary steps to save their crop, property and lives.
The employees of the department put on lights, burst crackers and beat drums to ward off the pachyderms.
Because of the precautionary steps, the herd moved towards Bhalukasuni, Garadihi, Naranpur in Tinikosia reserve forest and caused some damage to the crops.
The tusker led the herd through Jadibali, Banabhuin, Tereladihi, Hatimunda, Tulasidiha, Bijirasahi, Naranpur, Goplapur, Ayodhya, Mahishapata, Kathapal, Machhua, Radhakishorepur and Kulhataberhampur at Friday 5 pm, and it went into Durgadevi in Remuna, crossing the Nilgiri border at about 10 pm, it was learnt.
The herd during its four-day stay in Nilgiri caused damage to crops at Radhakishorepur, Kulhataberhampur, Kansha, Kathapal, Naranpur, Gendrasahi, Dalkisahi, Machua, Mahishapata, Ayodhya, Jadibali, Bhaunriabada, Hatimunda, Tereldihi, Tulasidiha, Bijirasahi and Sataranda areas.
Nilgiri ranger Sukumar Das, SCF and Kuladiha ranger in-charge Laxman Pradhan, Balasore ranger Debendra Pradhan and more than 85 forest department employees were there to ensure safety to crops, property and lives, sources said.
PNN