Raisuan/Oupada: Elephants have been on a rampage in various parts of Raisuan area in Keonjhar and Oupada area of Balasore. Farmers have been spending sleepless nights for days together.
The animals damaged paddy, cabbage, maize and sweet potato fields in Patana of Phuljhar panchayat under Bansapal block Monday night. They have also reportedly damaged several houses in the area. Poor tribals have been living amid fears of elephant attacks.
Some said, “We have raised crops by taking loans from banks and private money lenders. When our crops are damaged, we are always worried about how to recoup the damage and pay the loans.”
They alleged that though they have apprised the forest officials of the menace, the latter has not taken any step. The victims demanded immediate assessment of the crop damage.
Similarly, elephants move out of Kuladha forest and damage crops in various parts of Oupada block in Balasore. The animals have damaged crops in acres of farmland in Gadasahi panchayat near the sanctuary.
Farmers like Nata Giri, Godinda Patra, Puna Singh, Bishnu Kuanr, Ramakant Khandei, Shyam Khandei, Sammbaria Khandei and Sanatan Khandei have lost their crops to the elephants.
The poor tribals living in the area have drawn the attention of the forest officials towards the elephant menace. As the menace continues, some tribals have set up treetop houses near their farmlands to keep away the animals from damaging crops. But this strategy sometimes fails.
Some farmers, upset over the persistent problem, threatened to give up cultivation next year if the rampaging pachyderms were not reined in.
Ranger Pradip Kumar Jena said that steps are being taken to assess the crop damage and pay compensation to the affected farmers.
The animals recently damaged crops in 40 acres under Champua range in Keonjhar. Angry over the crop damage, affected farmers staged protests at Balibandh forest range office, demanding loss assessment and compensation.
Reports said, elephants have been on a damaging spree in Brahmanijahri, Chipinda, Sanjoda, Jeypore, Naupani, Sanakalimati, Bamandiha, Purunapani of Malda panchayat.
PNN
