Elephant herd destroys paddy crops

A herd of 19 elephants, including four tuskers, has extensively damaged standing paddy crops in about 110 acres of land in Odisha's Kandhamal district, the police said today.
The elephants attacked Badagarh, Dengakhamana, Ranaba, Indragarh and its neighbouring five villages under Karada Forest Range in Balliguda Forest Division, according to the information received at Balliguda DFO Office.
The herd also damaged the house of a villager Jatindra Bisoi at Indragarh village last night.
The affected farmers today brought the matter to the notice of the district administration.
Since the villages fall under the Maoist-prone area, no forest official dares to reach the spot out of fear, they alleged.

When contacted, the forest range officer of Karada of range said, "All the affected farmers who have their ROR of their land will be given compensation and steps are being taken to tackle the situation.