"Though a herd of about 100 elephants have created terror in villages of Nilgiri area, the state government has failed to protect the life and property of people," said Sarangi before sitting on dharna.
Sarangi, a BJP supported Independent MLA, said that a few forest officials have been deployed to chase away more than 100 elephants. "The elephants from neighbouring Jharkhand have entered into Balasore district and are creating havoc among the villagers. They destroyed crops and houses of innocent villagers, Sarangi said.
Denying Sarangi's allegation that steps were not being taken to chase away the jumbos, Forest and Environment minister Bijayshree Routray said that people should refrain from teasing the elephants who were coming to human habitations.
Sarangi, however, returned to his seat after the minister assured him to personally look into the particular incident at Nilagiri area.
"Elephants get irritated due to teasing by public and therefore, go on damage spree," the minister said adding that the state government had taken many steps to confine elephants within forest areas.
"We have dug adequate number of ponds to ensure that the jumbos get water for drinking in forest area," Routray said. (More)
