Jharkhand pachyderms damage houses, paddy crops in Keonjhar

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Jharkhand elephantKeonjhar: In yet another incident of man-elephant conflict in the State, a herd of around 19 elephants sneaked into the Champua forest range of the district and damaged houses and properties on Wednesday. The herd was seen roaming around in the Bangiriposhi and Baliposhi areas in the range and destroying paddy crops.

The pachyderms are believed to have crossed River Baitarani on Wednesday to reach the Champua forest range. The herd destroyed six houses in the villages under the forest range on Friday leaving villagers in a state of panic. It added to the plight of the villagers already bearing the brunt of heavy torrential rains compelling them to spend sleepless nights under the open sky.

Asked about the issue, Champua Forester Ranjit Jena claimed that his first priority was to save lives and action was being taken in this direction.

“Our first priority is to save valuable lives and forest officials are trying their best to disperse the elephants from the forests close to the villages by bursting firecrackers and beating drums. Officials have been engaged in an all-night operation,” said Jena.

Notably, the month of July happens to be a period during which elephants go on a rampage in villages located under Champua forest range. Every year, hundreds of elephants from neighbouring Jharkhand State and Mayurbhanj district cross river Baitarani to reach the villages and destroy property and paddy crops on a large scale.

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