Chhendipada: A herd of wild elephants wreaked havoc by destroying around three hectares of paddy cultivation at Pandualakata area of Dulgapur under Jarpada forest range in Angul district Wednesday.
According to repost, the herd comprising of 13 jumbos strayed into the agricultural land and damaged the paddy crop cultivated in the farmland of Dharani Burgi and Somanath Burgi of Durgapur village.
Locals informed the forest officials in this connection following which forest personnel reached the spot and drove the elephants away.
The forest officials also started an investigation into the matter.
The locals have demanded forest department to compensate the affected villagers whose crops were destroyed by the wild pachyderms. They also demanded relocation of the jumbo herd to the core forest area.
Following the incident, a squad of forest officials is keeping a close watch on the movement of elephants in the area.
PNN