Sajanagada/Oupada: An elephant herd from Jharkhand has extensively damaged crops in Oupada and Sajanagad areas of Balasore district.
With frequent power cuts, the people living near the Tinikosia reserve forest are frightened. Some people stay in treetop houses at night to escape possible attacks from the animals.
Many people have shifted to their relatives’ houses in other places. They accused the forest department of failure to drive out the elephants, and resentment is brewing here against the department.
The people also alleged that although power outages are regular at night, kerosene is not supplied to them to light their houses. The Nilagiri MLA raised the frequent power cuts with the SDO and block officials Thursday.
Balasore DFO Biswaraj Panda, ranger Sukumar Das, assistant conservator of forest Laxman Pradhan, forest guards, and members of the Sabuja Bahini and a platoon of police are keeping a close watch on the movement of the pachyderms. They warned the locals against disturbing the elephants.
In Oupada, farmers have built treetop houses to look out for the animals and are staying in them at night for safety sake. They said as evening approaches, the elephants come out and damage crops.
The tribal residents of Gadasahi panchayat said although they have been trying to frighten the pachyderms the latter are not leaving the place.
Many farmers like Natabar Giri, Sukadev Giri, Gobinda Patra, Duryodhan Khejua, Kasani Kuanr, Puna Singh, Ghana Singh, Tota Singh and Mahendra Kuanr have lost their paddy crop due to the elephants and have sought compensation.
Oupada ranger Pradip Jena said steps will be taken to compensate the farmers.
After creating mayhem in Bhalukasuni, Gardihi, Nararnpur, Tulasidiha, Bijirasahi, Gopalpur Ayodhya, Mahisapat, Kathapal, Machhua, Radhakishorepur and Kulhatberhampur, the herd of elephants crossed limits of Nilagiri range and were headed for Mayurbhanj.
PNN