KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: With no respite in sight for denizens in the city from wild elephant fear, the Jayadev Vatika Park near Khandagiri Hills here was closed for visitors on Saturday amid reports of jumbo invasion.
The step was taken after some locals spotted a jumbo near the park last night and reported the matter to the park authorities. A part of the park’s boundary wall was found broken with the fencing on it damaged during an inspection by the park administration.
Confirming the elephant incursion Govind Chandra Baral, Range Officer, Bhubaneswar said it is suspected that the elephant which had been dispersed from Horticulture farm of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) at Ghatikia on Wednesday has sneaked into the park. The elephant has been separated from a herd from Chandaka Reserve Forest, he added.
“We have decided to start our efforts to drive the jumbo out of the park after 3 PM as elephants tend to move out of the forest in the afternoon. All measures are being taken to prevent any loss to lives and property by the wild elephants,” said Baral.
On the other hand, informing on the closure of the park for visitors Pramod Kumar Sahoo, Incharge, Jaydev Vatika said staff are alert and have cordoned off the park to avoid any untoward incident. He said it would be opened for public after Forest Department completes its job.
Kalinga AI