Elephants move inside forest to escape fires
- Keonjhar: A herd of 24 elephants have been spotted moving from one part of the forest to another in Keonjhar district's Joda block over the past one week. Fire has broken out in Banspani, Sargitalia, Gurubeda, Baitarani, Jharan, Birikala and Daduan forests forcing the animals to another forest near Joda East mines. They are camping near a water body.
- The presence of the animals has made locals panicky. But there is also a risk to the lives of the elephants as a railway line passes through the area, increasing the chances of accident.
- "The elephants have been staying in the area since the last two months due to the availability of sufficient food and water. We are monitoring their movement to prevent man-animal conflict and accidents," said Champua range officer Akshaya Chhatria.
- According to sources, 118 elephants are living in six forest ranges of Keonjhar forest division. The highest number of 38 elephants are in Champua range, followed by 24 in Keonjhar, 23 in Tel- koi, 18 in Bhuyan Juang Pirha, 14 in Gathagan and one in Barbil range.