Oupada/Sajanagad: For the last four months, elephants have been wreaking havoc on paddy and property in Nilagiri area of Balasore district. Farmers have expressed their unhappiness over the crop damage.
Locals said the animals remain in Tinikosia reserve forest and come out in the night in search of fodder in Kuladiha sanctuary and damage paddy.
The animals damaged paddy in over two acres of land at Dalki in Naranpur panchayat late Tuesday night. Though villagers tried to drive out the elephants, they did not succeed in the absence of help from the forest department.
They demanded immediate steps from the forest department to drive the animals out of the area.
The elephants also damaged paddy saplings in tribal-dominated Badasahi Sunday night, leaving the locals in panic.
Several affected farmers have written to Oupada range officer Pradip Kumar Jena about the damage and sought assessment of the crop loss. Farmers pointed out that as saplings were damaged, their farmland will be left uncultivated.
Jena said steps are being taken to make on-the-spot assessment of the damage while compensation will be paid accordingly.
PNN
