Jumbo Herd Triggers Panic In Odisha’s Athagarh, Destroys Crops

Cuttack: A herd of over a dozen elephants roaming around Athagarh area of Odisha’s Cuttack district has triggered panic among locals and caused damage to vegetable farms.

According to reports, the jumbos are moving in Brahmanabasta reserve forest under Athagarh area.

At least two from the herd reportedly strayed into Kakhadi village over the weekend and destroyed vegetable farms in the area before leaving for the forest.

The presence of the jumbos created panic among the villagers who confined themselves to their houses till the animals moved towards Brahmanabasta reserve forest in Khuntuni area.

However, the elephants are moving out of the forest sfter sunset and straying into human settlements in search of food. The animals are often seen on old Sambalpur-Cuttack road near Narangabasta, Prasannapur, Nuadiha, Lingapada, Bidyadharpur, Paikarapur village, said locals.

Forest officials said the movement of elephants in the entire area is being monitored by department staff. They are keeping a close watch of the activities of all the elephants in the area and there is no need for panic.