Balasore: Much to the relief of the people living in the periphery of Nilagiri Forest Range, the forest staff have finally managed to drive away the herds of elephants from the forest area early on Saturday.
Local police, the villagers and the Revenue staff had assisted the forest staff to drive away the herds from Budusahi forest in Tinikosia to Jadibadi forest by beating drums and lighting firecrackers.
The herds from the neighbouring Jharkhand triggered panic in Nilagiri area since November 13. During their stay, the elephants had damaged standing crops and several houses in the nearby villages.
Talking to mediapersons, Ranger of Nilagiri Sukumar Das said efforts are on to push the herds to Mayurbhanj Forest Division through Patana, Kathapala, Pundala and Durgadevi via Gopalpur Forest Range.
Stating that a total of 56 elephants have left the Nilagiri forest, he said the Forest department will provide compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to each affected farmer towards the damage caused by the herds within a week after receiving the inquiry report from the forest guards and the Revenue officials on the extent of the crop loss.
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