Bhubaneswar: The popular Shikharchandi Hill, home to the ancient Shikharchandi Temple and a favoured picnic destination in Odisha’s capital, reopened to the public on Monday following the safe return of two straying tuskers to nearby Bharatpur forest.
Forest department officials confirmed that the hill range, which had been closed for almost a week as a precautionary measure due to the presence of the elephants, welcomed back morning walkers, devotees, and visitors this morning. The reopening brought relief during the peak winter holiday season, when the site typically sees high footfall for picnics and temple visits.
According to sources, the two adult male elephants entered the Shikharchandi area from the adjacent Chandaka forest division about six days ago, reportedly after breaching a stone barrier separating the hill from the sanctuary. This prompted authorities to restrict access to prevent potential human-wildlife conflict. A dedicated operation, involving five specialised night-tracking teams, night vision cameras, and tracking equipment, was launched to monitor the tuskers’ movements. Local villagers played a supportive role by coordinating with officials and ensuring restricted areas remained clear.
The marathon effort, lasting nearly 12 hours, culminated in success around 5 am on Monday, with the elephants being gently directed back to the Bharatpur forest without any distress to the animals or reported injuries. “The tuskers were first located around 11 pm, and attempts were made to guide them away from the hill area. They initially moved down to a lower elevation by around midnight, but re-entered the forest patch after spotting some vehicles. Renewed efforts were made, and by early morning, they finally returned to Bharatpur forest,” a forest official involved in the drive stated.
No property damage or incidents occurred during their stay on the hill.
Shikharchandi Hill’s proximity to the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary has led to occasional wildlife incursions in the past.
