Dhenkanal: Good news for wildlife lovers and activists as the elephant count in Dhenkanal district has reached 270 from 240 a few months ago, as per an enumeration conducted by the Forest department. Reports said out of eight forest ranges in the district, Hindol range has the highest number of 200 elephants. However, the tuskers straying into human settlements and creating traffic roadblock have become a cause of concern.
Sources said 26 tuskers separated from their herd are on the rampage in all these ranges. As a result, manelephant conflicts have been raging in different parts. There are eight tuskers in Sadangi range; five in Sadar range, six in Hindol range; four in Mahavir Roard range and three in Kamakhyanagar Western range. A few months ago, the number of elephants in the district was 240 while 30 more jumbos have entered the district from Satkosia sanctuary. Elephants often create traffic stalemate for hours on NH-55 passing through Hindol and Sadar ranges.
Reports said tuskers mainly stray into human habitats and create panic, and sometimes leading to human casualties. In 2021-22, as many as 22 people have lost their lives in the district. Meanwhile, the department is counting elephants every day while Gaja Sathis have been engaged to keep track of the single elephants separated from their herds. On the other hand, poachers active in Badamba and Narsinghpur forests under Athagarh range abutting Hindol range have become a cause of concern for forest officials in Dhenkanal.
Meanwhile, the department has intensified patrolling in Kandhara range. The Forest department has emphasised on safe passage of elephants near national highways. The DFO said that construction of five underpasses across NH-55 from Rasasingh to Meramundali is in progress.
