A lone elephant has been spotted roaming near human settlements on the outskirts of Dhenkanal for the past four days, causing fear and tension among villagers, especially in Ward No. 8 of the Gajamara area.
According to residents, the tusker was seen entering the village around 9 pm on Friday and moving close to residential houses. Many villagers are now afraid to step out of their homes, particularly at night, due to safety concerns.
Apart from posing a threat to human safety, the elephant has also caused significant damage to crops. Villagers reported that the tusker consumed stored paddy and destroyed standing crops and banana plants, affecting their livelihood.
Forest officials believe the elephant usually lives in the nearby Saptasajya forest and enters villages at night in search of food. However, locals have alleged that despite repeated complaints, no effective steps have been taken to prevent the animal from entering residential areas.
Villagers have urged the Forest Department to take immediate measures to drive the tusker back into the forest and prevent further damage and risk to human life.
