Brahmapur/Baripada: Elephant movement in human settlements has triggered concern among residents in Ganjam and Mayurbhanj districts, with an elephant damaging property and food stocks in Gundiribadi village of Ghumusar North Forest Division in Ganjam and another moving through villages in Rasgovindpur and Morada blocks of Mayurbhanj.
In Ganjam, an elephant reportedly entered Gundiribadi village under Mujagada range late Monday night and remained in the area for nearly four hours, causing damage to a panchayat rice godown and residents’ belongings, sources said.
The elephant reportedly broke open the door of the rice godown, consumed and damaged rice stored there. It also damaged paddy, vegetables and other household items belonging to villagers. As the elephant moved through the village, residents stayed indoors for fear of an attack, the sources added.
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On being informed, forest department personnel reached Gundiribadi and attempted to drive the elephant back toward the forest.
In Mayurbhanj district, a tusker has been moving through villages in Rasgovindpur and Morada blocks for the past few days, keeping residents on alert, sources said.
The elephant was spotted moving from Rangiam village toward Nalgaja in Rasgovindpur block during the evening. Its repeated movement through human settlements around dusk has raised concern among villagers.
