India
Eight-elephant herd roams near villages on Odisha-Andhra border
An eight-member elephant herd has caused panic in villages along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, damaging crops and moving close to settlements. Forest teams from both states are patrolling and have cut power as a precaution.
An eight-member elephant herd has been moving close to human habitations in Rayagada district on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, triggering panic among villagers and damaging crops. The herd reportedly entered from the Veeragottam reserve forest area in Andhra Pradesh a few days ago and has been spotted near Empalabalsa, Kereda, Anija, Pudheshu and Boruhalua villages under Rayagada block. The elephants have been moving along the Nagavali river, crossing between the two states.
Villagers said the herd crossed Komarada and Kotu villages early on Monday and moved towards Odisha. They were seen playing in the Nagavali river and roaming through agricultural fields in search of food and water. Forest officials from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are patrolling the area and have cut power as a precaution.
- Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border
- Rayagada district
- Koraput
- Andhra Pradesh
- Odisha
- Rayagada block
- Nagavali river
- Veeragottam reserved forest
- Empalabalsa village
- Kereda village
- Anija village
- Pudheshu village
- Boruhalua village
- Komarada village
- Kotu village
- elephant herd
- human-elephant conflict
- wild elephants
- crop damage
- elephants entering villages
- forest department
- joint patrolling
- power supply disconnected
- Rayagada forest range officer Anil Panigrahi
- Satyanarayan Pattnaik
- Venkat Rao
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