A 52-year-old woman was reportedly trampled to death by a tusker in Jajpur district on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Kolha village under the Dalijoda forest range. According to forest range officer Sachitananda Subudhi, the victim, Fula Pradhan, was collecting firewood with other women when an adult male elephant attacked her. She was rushed to the community health centre at Barachana, where doctors declared her dead.
Local Anger Over Forest Department's Response
The forest department faced anger from locals, who claimed that the department was not taking proper steps to prevent the human-elephant conflict. The pachyderms often stray from the nearby Bairi reserve forest into villages, damaging crops and houses. They have been roaming in the surrounding villages. A team of forest staff has been deployed as a protective measure, and efforts to drive the elephant herds away include beating drums and lighting fires. The family of the deceased will receive Rs 10 lakh as compensation from the forest department soon.
Farmers Allege Regular Crop Damage
Farmers alleged that the herd caused extensive damage to their paddy and vegetable crops on a regular basis. Wild elephants entering villages in search of food also damaged houses. Pravat Pradhan, a local, said farmers are worried over the wild elephant menace, which is on the rise in the region.
Mining Blamed for Habitat Destruction
According to Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of the Wildlife Society of Odisha, mining in the forest in Jajpur district and nearby areas is the main reason behind the destruction of elephant corridors and vital habitat essential for long-ranging species like Indian elephants. Mining has led to the drying up and siltation of natural streams, waterfalls, and rivulets. Elephants are now in danger and are killing people. Mohanty noted that despite persistent attempts to convince authorities, people have not received any relief from the government.
The incident highlights the growing human-elephant conflict in the region, which experts attribute to habitat loss and fragmentation. The forest department's efforts to manage the situation include deploying staff and using traditional methods to drive elephants away, but locals demand more effective measures. The compensation announcement aims to provide some relief to the victim's family, but the underlying issue of habitat destruction remains unresolved.
