Keonjhar: Herds of elephants were headed towards villages in Keonjhar district following mindless blasting in Khandabandha area, under Champua forest range, for mining activities.
Reports said that those who have taken the mines on lease are carrying out blasting and excavation work all through the day.
Environmentalists are of the opinion that mining activities in the forest region have disturbed pachyderms severely and the herds are leaving their habitat en masse and moving towards nearby villages. They fear if mining activities continue for some time, it could lead to extinction of jumbos.
Villagers living near the forests are in a state of panic. Fearing that a tussle between humans and elephants could ensue, they requested the government to take necessary steps for ensuring safety of both the pachyderms and villagers.
