Aul: As many as 73 buffaloes belonging to three herders died in a nullah of the Brahmani river’s southern channel in Kendrapara district, a source said Monday.
The incident occurred in Ekmania village under Aul police station, raising suspicion among locals that the animals may have been killed either in a crocodile attack or due to chemical poisoning from nearby prawn farms.
Around 8am of Sunday, 88 buffaloes owned by Ganesh Das, Jagannath Das and Paramananda Biswal were tied near the water body. After grazing, the buffaloes entered the deep and narrow nullah, where most perished. Villagers used boats to recover the carcasses, officials said. Ganesh Das lost 40 buffaloes, Jagannath 17 and Paramananda 16. Fifteen animals survived.
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“This is the first such incident in the state,” villagers said, noting that the buffaloes had regularly used the nullah without issue. The deaths have devastated the herders, who relied on milk sales for their livelihood.
The affected farmers, along with village Sarpanch Ahalya Biswal, filed complaints with the Rajnagar Forest Department, Aul Tehsil, police and the local veterinary hospital, seeking immediate government aid.
Rajnagar Forest Guard Vijay Patra said officials visited the site Sunday evening. Aul Tehsildar Shanti Swarup Mishra, Kendrapara Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Manoj Pattnaik and Rajnagar Animal Husbandry Officer Prakash Chandra Jena also inspected the area.
Post-mortem examinations of the carcasses are scheduled for Monday. A report will be submitted to the Divisional Forest Officer, who will decide on compensation, officials said.
PNN
