As a tusker intruding into the Nilgiri area of Baleswar district is on a rampage, the villagers are living in fear. The elephant, which came from Jharkhand, has damaged at least three houses besides devouring stored grains and grown fruits and vegetables. The tusker has badly damaged the house of Balabhadra Singh of village Gopalpur.
Similarly, it has damaged the houses Birabhadra Singh and Radhamohan Singh besides damaging the house of the Forest Committee at Naranpur. The tusker, after crossing the Sono river, initially entered into the Gopalpur Reserve Forest before coming to the Tinkosia forest. The animal, which was chased away by villagers with the help of forest personnel, is currently in the Kathpal forest.
The Forest Department authorities said that their personnel are maintaining a strict vigil on the movement of the tusker in assistance with Sabuja Bahini volunteers and police and compensation for house damages and crop losses and damages would be provided as per Government’s guidelines.
