Chhendipada: In a bizarre incident, a member of a Forest Department squad deployed near a village in Anugola district to drive away wild elephants had to climb a mango tree to save his life when a herd of marauding jumbos chased him, officials and residents said.
The incident occurred Sunday in Chhendipada forest range, where increasing elephant activity has caused concern among residents of several villages, including Dhangurumunda, Bijapada, Patakamunda, Bhalukhai, Tebud, Ramachandrapur and Sindurpal under Patakamunda gram panchayat. The matter came to the fore as a video of the incident went viral on social media. Elephants have been entering paddy fields and damaging crops, which have already been affected by heavy rain. The herd has also been trampling paddy seedlings and entering villages, damaging house walls and eating stored paddy and rice, residents said. The elephant menace has led to loss of life and properties and hit the farmers hard financially.
The Forest Department has deployed an elephant squad to protect people and crops. A few days ago, the team reached Patakamunda village after receiving information that a herd had entered the village. While the squad was trying to drive the elephants back into the forest, a tusker suddenly charged at squad member Rakesh Sahu, who ran for his life and climbed a nearby mango tree. The elephants remained beneath the tree for nearly an hour, making loud noises and preventing Sahu from coming down. When other squad members attempted to rescue him, the elephants also chased them.
Sahu finally climbed down after the herd moved towards the forest. Residents said they were frightened by the incident and urged the department to drive the elephants away from the village. They also sought solar fencing, solar lights and high mast lights around the village. Former panchayat committee member Kashinath Sahu and other residents also urged the department to provide elephant-squad personnel with improved technology and equipment to safely drive away the animals.
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