Champua: People residing in the Champua section of Keonjhar district have been living in the fear of rampage by wild jumbos for about a month now. Already, elephants straying into the area have caused havoc in the region. Every day, jumbo herds are reported to be seen at different places in Champua section, as if playing hide and seek with the Forest department staff.
Previously, the jumbo herds destroyed paddy fields in the area and now they have started ravaging mango orchards. According to the Forest department officials, every day their men drive the herds towards Jharkhand, but they return to Odisha on the next morning attracted by the paddy and the sweet fruits grown in the region.
A jumbo herd crossed the Baitarini river recently and devastated mango orchards and paddy fields in Adhangapal village. According to sources, the herd spent the entire night in the area destroying mango trees in the orchards belonging to Naba Mahanta, Swadhin Mahanta, Ramachandra Mahanta, Bidyadhar Mahanta, Patel Mahanta, Keshab Mahanta and Kusha Mahanta of the Adhangapal village.
It may be mentioned here that a wide variety of delectable mangoes from the orchards of local farmers in Champua area are sent outside every year. However, this year the jumbo herds devastated the mango orchards severely. Usually, the mango farmers of Champua each earn about Rs 30,000-40,000 every year by selling mangoes from their orchards. This year, their livelihood is in peril.
Similar is the case of paddy cultivators in the region, as the jumbo herds have destroyed the agricultural fields on the bank of Baitarini river. The mango farmers have appealed the higher authorities of the Forest department seeking a permanent solution to their problem.
PNN