Banki, Apr 20: Farmers in parts of Cuttack district got relief on Monday after a herd of elephants moved out of the area following days of crop damage and panic. a source said.

According to the source, a herd of 22 elephants had entered from the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary a few days ago. The herd initially triggered panic near Banki’s Bhagipur area before moving towards the Mahanadi River.

While crossing the river, around 20 elephants proceeded towards the Sukhasan forest in Athagarh. However, two elephants reportedly turned back midway and returned to the sanctuary.

For several days, the herd had been damaging crops in Bhagipur, Banara and Kuamada villages, leaving farmers worried over mounting losses.

With the elephants finally retreating last night, locals expressed relief after facing continuous tension and damage to their fields.

Also Read: Human-Elephant Conflicts Claim 706 Lives, 432 Elephants Dead In Odisha In Five Years

Rising Human-Elephant Conflict
The development comes amid growing human-elephant conflict in Odisha. Informing the Assembly in March, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia had said 706 people lost their lives in elephant attacks across the state over the past five years.

During the same period, 432 elephants also died due to causes such as poaching, electrocution, accidents, retaliatory killings, disease, old age, infighting and calf deaths.

The minister noted that elephants often move between forests in search of food and water, and during such movement, they stray into human settlements near forest areas, leading to frequent conflict and loss of life and property.

This story is compiled by Manisha Dhal.