Elephant Menace Returns to Odisha-Chhattisgarh Border, Farmers Worried

Sinapali: Fresh elephant movement has triggered concern among villagers and farmers in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border areas under Sinapali Forest Range in Nuapada district. A herd of six elephants has been roaming near the Ghattamal Gram Panchayat area and reportedly damaged standing paddy crops after entering agricultural fields. According to the Forest Department, the herd comprises five adult elephants and one calf. The elephants entered Odisha from the Chhattisgarh side on Friday night and subsequently moved through the Ghattamal and Chitarama areas before entering paddy fields at Ghattamal village. The herd reportedly damaged paddy crops belonging to farmers including Dambarudhar Chinda, Parmananda Chinda and Tike Sundar Chinda. The affected farmers had cultivated paddy on limited land by borrowing money and investing their available resources. With the crop nearing the harvesting stage, the damage caused by the elephants has increased their financial worries. Farmers dependent primarily on agriculture fear that the crop loss may put additional financial pressure on their families. They have urged the authorities to ensure proper assessment of the damage and provide compensation at the earliest. After receiving information about the elephant movement, forest personnel led by Sinapali Forest Range Forester Meghnad Majhi reached the affected area. The officials monitored the movement of the elephants and assessed the damage caused to the paddy fields. The Forest Department has assured that compensation will be provided to the affected farmers as per government norms. Meanwhile, the elephant herd is reportedly moving towards Chhattisgarh. Forest officials are keeping a close watch on their movement along the Chitarama-Jholapada route. As there is a possibility of the elephants returning towards villages and agricultural fields, forest officials are sensitising residents of the border villages and advising them to remain alert. It may be mentioned that the border region is connected with forest areas of Chhattisgarh, including the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, while the forest corridor also has connectivity with the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Nuapada district. Elephants are known to move into the border areas at different times of the year in search of food and water. The recurring movement of elephant herds has become a major concern for farmers as crop damage affects their livelihood. Continuous monitoring, timely warning systems and effective measures to prevent human-elephant conflict are therefore essential for protecting both villagers and agricultural crops in the border region.