Herd of 25 Wild Elephants Triggers Panic, Damages Crops and Homes in Keonjhar
Panic gripped several villages in Odisha’s Keonjhar district after a large herd of 25 wild elephants entered the Patna forest range late on Monday night, causing extensive damage to crops and houses. The herd destroyed paddy fields, vegetable farms, and damaged at least five houses, consuming stored rice and grains while leaving behind widespread destruction of household property.
Forest officials confirmed that the elephants moved into the Patna range from the Champua range, triggering fear among residents who stayed indoors through the night as the animals roamed close to habitations.
According to forest department sources, the elephant herd crossed National Highway-49 near Dumurigoda village, forcing authorities to temporarily halt vehicular movement to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. The herd trampled vegetable farms along its route before entering villages in the Patna range.
In Kiapada village, the elephants damaged three houses, while two houses were destroyed in Khuntapada village. Among the worst affected was Gadadhar Naik of Jharbeda, whose asbestos-roofed house was damaged. The elephants reportedly entered a room, consumed rice stored inside, and later trampled vegetables grown in his garden.
Late into the night, the herd damaged the houses of Dibyalochana Munda and Kshetra Munda in Khuntapada, destroying essential household items. In Kiapada, homes belonging to Bhagirtha Naik, Saudamini Mahanta, and Manguli Naik were also damaged during the rampage.
Villagers reported hearing loud noises as the elephants moved through narrow lanes, forcing families to flee or take shelter indoors.
Forest officials said the situation is being closely monitored to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of residents. B B Sardar, Patna Range Officer, confirmed that elephant driving squads have been deployed in the affected areas.
“Elephant driving squads have been deployed to monitor the herd’s movement. We are keeping a close watch on their movements to prevent further damage and alert local people earlier,” he said.
Villagers, however, expressed fear and frustration, saying repeated elephant incursions have become a recurring threat, particularly during harvesting seasons when crops attract wild animals.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing human-elephant conflict in parts of Odisha, especially in forest fringe villages. The destruction of paddy crops and stored food grains poses a serious economic setback for families who depend entirely on agriculture for their livelihood.
Apart from economic loss, such encounters create prolonged psychological stress among villagers, who often spend nights without sleep due to fear of elephant movement. Damage to homes further worsens the situation, forcing affected families to seek temporary shelter.
Forest officials have not yet released an official estimate of the loss, but local residents claim the damage runs into several lakhs of rupees.
Conclusion
As the elephant herd camps near the Kendeipasi Shani temple area, authorities remain on high alert. Forest personnel are tracking the animals’ movement and issuing warnings to nearby villages to avoid further casualties or damage.
The incident underscores the urgent need for long-term mitigation measures, including improved forest corridors, early warning systems, and compensation mechanisms, to reduce conflict between wildlife and human settlements.
Our Final Thoughts
The Keonjhar elephant incident is a stark reminder that wildlife conflict is no longer a rare occurrence but a growing challenge in forest-adjacent regions. While immediate monitoring can prevent loss of life, sustainable solutions are essential to protect both rural livelihoods and wildlife. Without long-term planning, such incidents will continue to fuel fear, loss, and instability in vulnerable communities.
