Dhenkanal: The Dhenkanal Forest Department have launched a new special bus service “Airavat” to tackle the rising elephant menace in the area over the last few days. It is also used to protect the elephants from the poachers.
It has been launched in the Parjanga block in Dhenkanal district.
The specially designed bus can carry necessary items including food, it has several features like mobile charging facilities and the instruments used to drive out the elephants and can keep a strict vigil on the movement of the pachyderms. The bus can accommodate around 30 people.
The specially designed bus is built at a cost of Rs 21 lakh.
The Airavat Service has come up after the villagers of Mahabirod and Kamkhyanagar Western Range under Dhenkanal forest division complained of the elephants creating nuisance for some days.
The forest officer Damage to agriculture crops can be reduced to the minimum due to this bus service, informs forest officer.
Ms Kalinga