Sajnagad: In a precautionary measure to minimise the possible damage caused by a herd of over 40 elephants which every year strays into Nilagiri area from Jharkhand’s Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in search of food, the forest department in Balasore district has started creating awareness among the villagers.
Every year, the herd sneaks into Nilagiri from the neighbouring state and not only damages crops, but also claim human lives.
Forest officials and researchers are of the opinion that the food available a plenty here during the harvesting season attracts the pachyderms.
Annual affair
Every year, the herd sneaks into Nilagiri from the neighbouring state and not only damages crops, but also claim human lives.
Researchers are of the opinion that the food available a plenty here during the harvesting season attracts the pachyderms.
Inhabitants of forested villages are advised not to keep mahua flowers and handia (a traditional rice beer) in their houses as both these things attract the elephants.
The villagers have also been asked to keep their paddy and rice stocks at safer places.
The herd is presently holed up in Nadpur jungle under Betnoti forest range in Mayurbhanj district, and as per the forest department’s estimation, it will take a few more days for the animals to reach Nilagiri.
The news has left the farmers in a state of panic. The paddy crop is not yet ripe and the arrival of the elephants at this time will dash their hopes of a good harvest, the farmers said.
Meanwhile, the forest department seems to be pulling all stops to prevent the animals from entering into the area. The officials are seen creating awareness among the locals on how to minimise the loss.
Acting on the direction of Nilagiri ranger Sukumar Nayak, a team has been visiting the forested villages and advising the inhabitants not to keep mahua flowers and handia (a traditional rice beer) in their houses as both these things attract the elephants.
The villagers have also been asked to keep their paddy and rice stocks at safer places.
At some places solar fencing near the forested villages are missing. To make things worse, the trenches dug out by the forest department to keep the elephants at bay have got filled up at some places.
These lapses have become a cause of worry for the locals despite assurance of safety from the forest department. The villagers have urged the department to get the fencing in order and restore the trenches.
PNN