Bhanjanagar: Farmers in northern and southern parts of Ghumsar forest division in Ganjam are harried lot as elephants herd have been wreaking havoc in those pockets every day.
While Covid has made things worse for farmers, now elephant menace added to woes of the farmers, a report said.
There were 45 elephants in North Ghumsar area while 21 were in Southern Ghumsar area. A total of 66 elephants are holed up in the Ghumsar divisional area.
Eight elephants are creating panic in Buguda range while 13 are keeping people on edge in Sorada range.
Nine elephants are in Mujagad range, 23 in Tarasingh range and 13 in Jagannath Prasad area.
Elephant squads are struggling to drive away the elephants, but in some cases, their efforts are allegedly futile. On the other hand, local residents burst crackers to scare the animals away.
Locals alleged that shortage of filed level staff has been problem in keeping the animals away from the area. The range offices are on 24 hour alert abut elephant troubles as Forest department personnel are keeping a close watch on the movement of the elephants.
DFO Satyanarayan Behera said that all possible steps are being taken to check the elephant menace in the area.
PNN