Palaspur , Dec 16: Fear gripped the Palaspur area and surrounding villages under the Sahaspur beat of the Digapahandi forest region in Odisha, as an elephant wreaked havoc, causing massive destruction to paddy and other standing crops. During the night, the elephant destroyed numerous banana, mango, and jackfruit trees, as well as rice fields, by consuming them.

Local farmers are alarmed as the elephant not only damaged crops but also destroyed essential infrastructure, including power lines, water pumps, and pipes. The damage has left farmers in distress, with the destruction of their resources leading to significant financial losses.

Forest authorities have visited the site to assess the situation and offer assistance. Local farmers are hopeful for a quick resolution to prevent further damage and protect their livelihoods.

This incident follows a recent tragic event where a young man and an elderly woman were trampled to death by wild elephants in Cuttack and Bolangir districts, respectively. In the past decade, human-animal conflicts in Odisha have led to the death of 1,398 people, with the Dhenkanal Forest Division reporting the highest fatalities at 251. Keonjhar and Angul followed with 125 and 119 deaths, respectively.

The growing number of such incidents highlights the urgent need for better management strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in Odisha.