Sonepur: Around 14 families of Pudamal village in Ullunda forest range of this district are spending sleepless nights atop trees in a forest near the village fearing an elephant herd that has been wreaking havoc in the area.
With forest officials doing nothing, the villagers have been forced to seek shelter on treetops. The houses of most of the families have already been damaged by the herd, and others fear they might be killed by the pachyderms that enter the village at night, and feed on standing crops.
This has angered the villagers who have demanded that forest officials must take steps to drive the herd back into the wild. The angry villagers held the officials responsible for their damaged crops, and have demanded immediate compensation.
The villagers said the elephant herd has been wandering in the forest near their village. The pachyderms often enter agriculture fields and feed on vegetables and other crops during the day. At night, the pachyderms come into the village and destroy houses.
Many houses have been destroyed, but no steps have been taken by the administration to shift the villagers to a safer place and to drive away the herd. With no other option left, the villagers are taking shelter on trees.
Speaking on the plight of the villagers, Jaunrabhaunra GP ex-sarpanch Trinath Bhoi said, “This happens every year. Villagers toil day and night to raise crops, but the elephants feed on the crops. But no official bothers to stop it despite complaints.”
“Soon after sunset everyone including children and women have to climb trees and spend the night there in the chilly weather. On many occasions, the villagers have to run and find a tree for themselves if elephants enter the area suddenly,” a villager said, adding they fear that someday someone might die after falling off the trees.
Locals said the government assistance is a daydream for them although they have been facing this problem for years.
Collector Madhusudan Mishra said the PD, DRDA had already made a ground zero assessment of the situation, and had assured that the villagers will be provided all help.
“Steps are being taken to make sure that the elephants move only in their natural paths away from human settlements. The villagers will be provided pucca houses next fiscal,” the Collector said.
PNN