Elephant Movement Tracked in Kalyansinghpur Range of Rayagada Forest Division
Rayagada: The Forest Department has intensified surveillance on elephant movement in the jungles surrounding Emiliguda village under Shikarpai Section of the Kalyansinghpur Range, Rayagada Forest Division. The operation is being carried out to prevent further incidents of man-animal conflict and to ensure the safety of both wildlife and local villagers.
According to reports, late last night, an elephant strayed into Bhitara Jholla village under Singpur block and allegedly damaged a house, creating panic among the residents. Acting swiftly upon receiving the information, Shikarpai Section Forester P.K. Jena, along with Forest Guards Suraj Patnaik and Radha Alaka, and frontline staff members Chaitanya Nachika and Ravi Ataka, rushed to the spot. The team, joined by local villagers, closely monitored the elephant’s movements to prevent further destruction.
After continuous tracking through the night, the elephants were successfully guided back towards the Pujuriguda–Emiliguda dense forest patch, away from human settlements. Officials said the process was not easy, as it required coordinated efforts, patience, and alertness to avoid any untoward incidents.
Speaking on the operation, Forester P.K. Jena stated that such incidents are becoming frequent during the harvest season when elephants are attracted to food crops and village storage houses. He added that the forest team is keeping a round-the-clock vigil to minimize crop loss and property damage. Awareness is also being created among villagers to stay indoors at night, avoid using firecrackers, and immediately inform forest officials about elephant presence.
Meanwhile, Rayagada Forest Division officials confirmed that more teams have been deployed in sensitive villages under Kalyansinghpur and adjacent ranges. “Our aim is to strike a balance between protecting wildlife and ensuring human safety. Elephants usually move in search of food and water, and with shrinking forest corridors, such encounters are on the rise,” an official noted.
The department has also appealed to the district administration to explore long-term measures such as solar fencing, creation of water sources inside forest areas, and setting up of rapid response teams in vulnerable blocks.
Local villagers, though fearful, have praised the swift action of the forest staff, who worked through the night to drive away the elephants without causing them harm. “Their efforts saved our village from a major disaster,” a resident of Bhitara Jholla village said.The operation is still underway, with the forest team continuing to monitor the herds in Emilguda and adjoining forests to prevent further intrusion into human habitation.
Reported by Gouri Shankar Pattnaik
