Jumbos from WB back, Forest Dept on toes
BARIPADA: A herd of 70 elephants, believed to be from neighbouring West Bengal, has crossed over to Odisha in search of food and is headed to the Phujhari forest under Rasagobindpur range of Baripada division.The herd has reportedly damaged ripen paddy and fruit orchards. Locals are scared to come out from their houses as the elephant group has not moved in the last couple of days. The big mammals are known to hunt paddy and mahula flowers.
The pachyderms take a short-cut migratory route crossing Ganghana, Telia, Gongasuli, Tarudihi, Nekoda, Salbani and Badsul. However, since another herd of 40 elephants from West Bengal has stayed put at the bordering Deuili forests, this group is not moving out.With two herds of elephants located in nearby forests, Forest Department has already initiated traditional methods of driving them by bursting crackers, making bon-fires and beating drums.
Though locals have been cooperative in the exercise, they apprehend that the elephants may not go away so easily. Brajamohan Singh, a local farmer, said methods adopted by the Forest officials are inadequate. However, Forest officials said sufficient manpower has been deployed to drive the elephants out. Two mobile teams from Rasagobindpur range, APR, local police besides forest staff from Udala, Kaptipada and Dukura ranges have been engaged in the exercise.
The mobile teams are monitoring the herd round-the-clock. All necessary steps will be taken to protect life and property of the villagers, said an official. The assessment of crop loss will be carried out after elephant herds leave the forest, Rasagobindpur Range Officer Dillip Barik said.