A tragic incident of human-elephant conflict unfolded in Ganjam district, where a solitary tusker attacked a herd of cattle, resulting in the death of one cow and injuries to three others. The attack occurred in the Kaliamba forest area, sending shockwaves through the local community and highlighting the ongoing challenges of wildlife encroachment.
Details of the Forest Attack
The incident took place on Wednesday evening when the cattle were grazing within the forest. According to forest officials, a lone male elephant allegedly charged at the herd. The injured animals were immediately rushed to a nearby veterinary hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, one of the cows succumbed to its injuries on Thursday night. The other three cows sustained minor injuries and are under medical care.
Himansu Sekhar Mohanty, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ghumusar North, provided insight into the possible origins of the rogue elephant. He suggested that the tusker might have migrated from the Phulbani forest division and entered the Kaliamba forest in search of food. This movement patterns are common as elephants traverse large distances, often bringing them into contact with human settlements and livestock.
Panic and Precautionary Measures
The attack has instilled fear among local residents. Purna Chandra Nayak, the owner of the cattle, expressed the community's anxiety, stating, "We are in panic as the elephant is camping in the area." As a direct consequence of the attack, villagers have now restricted cattle from grazing in the forest to prevent further encounters.
This is not an isolated event in the region. The DFO confirmed that earlier, elephant herds had caused damage to houses and destroyed harvested paddy in the Kalijhari and Domuhani areas within the same forest division. These repeated incidents underscore the persistent tension between wildlife conservation and agricultural livelihoods.
Tracking the Elephant Population and Official Response
The forest department is actively monitoring the situation. Currently, 44 elephants are roaming across different ranges under the Ghumusar North division. The breakdown provided by the DFO reveals that the Gallery range hosts the highest number with 24 elephants, followed by the Jagannath Prasad range with 16. A lone tusker is in the Central range, and a herd of three elephants is in the Mujagarh range.
Forest personnel are constantly tracking the movement of these elephants and issuing alerts to villagers in their path. The DFO emphasized the department's advisory, urging people not to venture near the elephants or attempt to tease them, as such actions can provoke aggressive behavior.
In a move that offers some relief to the affected cattle owner, the DFO confirmed that compensation for the loss will be provided as per government norms. This policy is part of the state's efforts to mitigate the economic impact of human-wildlife conflict on local communities.
