Man-mammal conflicts are on the rise in Sundargarh district and forest officials in Sundargarh district have failed to check the elephant entry into human habitation. Forest officials are busy in estimating compensation amount to be provided to the persons whose houses and crops are damaged by the elephants. They are also estimating compensation for the person who lost lives in elephant attack.
About 172 elephants are available in different parts of Sundargarh district and have been causing headache. Experts are roped in the drive-away operation. Chili powder and solar fencing are not yielding the desired result.
The department is giving Rs 3 lakh per person towards compensation due to death in elephant attack, Rs 75,000 for grave injury, Rs 5,000 for partial injury, Rs 10,000 per acre of crop damage, Rs 12,000 per acre of vegetable damage, Rs 10,000 for complete house damage and Rs 2,000 for partial damage.
According to sources, about 69 elephants have been camping in different areas in Rourkela forest division.
Significantly, an elephant herd in Kuanrmunda range has been creating panic among locals there and three persons were trampled to death in July this year.
Similarly, under Bonei forest division, 43 jumbos are moving in different areas and have created panic among villagers.
There are elephant herds in different groups under Bonei forest division.
A four- member elephant herd is in Koira range, another four- member herd in Barsuan range, a five- member herd in Jarda range, an 18-member herd in Sol range and an 11-member elephant herd in Tamra range.
One elephant under Kuliposh range, which has become sick, is now getting treatment.
In Sundargarh forest division, 60 elephants are roaming in different areas . In Hemgiri forest range, an 18- member elephant herd had recently entered into Hemgiri area and damaged five houses and crops. In Bargaon forest range, 14 elephants are creating panic. In Ujalpur range, eight elephants are on rampage and in Sadar forest range, 20 elephants are moving .Recently, an 18- member elephant herd had entered into Hemgiri village in Hemgiri forest range and damaged five houses and corps in that area.
On Thursday night last, the 18- member herd again entered into Jareikela and Khunteipani villages under Hemgiri forest rage and damaged about 15 acres of crops. The Sundargarh forest division reportedly called an eight-member group from Jharkhand recently to drive away the elephant herd.
An elephant was killed in the month of July after coming under a train in Hemgiri range while she was crossing the railway track along with other elephants. Sundargarh forest officials are simply keeping a watch on the movement on the elephant herds without any significant success to chase them away.