Elephants Vs.Man: A Struggle for existence in Orissa.

Heavy loss of Forest has placed the Elephant and Rural people now face to face-- in Orissa. It is becoming a common news now Man Vs. elephant struggling for existence. Life of villagers and of Elephants both at risk now. I have decided to compile such News and start an Advocacy Campaign to save both villagers and Elephants. Please read it:

• 17.1.2009. Samaja. One elephant died in electrocution, other guarded his body for next 14 hours. The elephants were eating stocked paddy in S. Mukundapur village (Bhramapur panchayat under Digapahandi Forest Range), while Tribals chased them with blowing drums; they left the village, but the 11kv electric were touched the head of an elephant, it died on spot. Another elephant got unconscious in touch with the dead one. After around one hour the elephant came back to sense and stood to guard the laid elephant. Villagers and Forest officials did all efforts, but could not chase it for next 14 hours.
• 15.1.2009. Elephant terror in Kamakhyanagr. Since last 7th January a herd of 22 elephants have entered this area, they have came from Hindol area, crossing Dumusinga, Jalanga, Kanti, Katni, Jaka,, Ratna shankarpur, Kharuahata villages and staying at deep forest near Machhiya village. After sun-set they are entering nearby villages. They have eaten vegetable and sugarcane plants in Khuntubati, Jaka and Shalpada villages. Strikes by Forst guard is also adding much plight to the situations.
• 12.1.2009. Samaja. Elephant menance caused loss of crop. Elephant menance is increased At Orgaon; a herd came down from Gayasing hills and entered a Crushing unit, labourers fled in fear. The herd later Bandhasahi village; people started fleeing, 3 persons felled in a ditch and got injured. The elephants damaged Sugarcane & vegetable crops and ate stocks of paddy.
• 8.1.2009. Samaja. Farmer killed in elephant attack. In Dhaurakhaman (Nuapada) village of Gaourenmunda Panchayat, Gaisilet PS, one farmer was tossed by the Tusker to death; the man was taking a rest in a hut after completing paddy boiling at night, when the Tusker entered there, destroyed the hut and tossed him spot death. Last year also one person was killed at Badimunda, just 2 km away from this place.
• 5.1.2009. Samaja. Tuskers spread terror at Tamka: Just at sun-set, two tuskers are regularly climbing down from Mahagiri hills and visiting villages near Tamaka Reserved Forest (Dhangadi Block). They have spread terror in Patbali, Kathbati, Champajhar, Tungeisuni, Rajghati, Nuasahi etc villages; they have broken at east 10 houses and eating stocked paddies daily.
• 4.1.2009. Samaja. 180 persons died in elephant attacks in 4 years. According to Government department Reports, during last 4 years in Orissa, in elephant attack, 180 persons have died, 1470 houses are broken and Crop loss happened to minimum 6,000 acre land and Compensation is paid around 2 crore rupees.
• 3.1.09 : Indian Express. 1 killed in elephant attack. One person (55 yrs) killed in Kerojoili, (Kamakhyanagr PS) in elephant attack. The animal entere Balisahi at midnight and were destroying paddy crops, when he came in front of the animal.Elephant attacked him killing him on spot.
• 3.1.09.: Indian Express. Jumbo herd Driven out. The Forest Dept officials managed to drive away the elephant herd from Bhanjabihar campus. Two elephants of the herd ran away towards Narayanpatna village and rest 11 headed towars Badadumbula forest.
• 1.1.2009: Indian Express. Jumbos enter Berhampur University campus. A herd of 13 elephants including two tuskers who raised alarm in a number of villages in Chatrapur Block for last four days entered the Versity campus; when students raised alarm the herd entered in the forest adjacent to University Guest house, while injuring one youth on the way.
• 1.1.2009: Samaja. One died in Elephant attack in Kerjuli village of Kankrahar Block (kamakhyanagr). The unfortunate man went to the backside of his cottage in midnight; the elephant was eating his stock of paddy heaped there. The elephant captured the man by trum and threw him violently.

Elephants searching Home

This is a picture of an elephant caught and chained in Balangir Forest, of Western Orissa, in 1994. The saga of such episodes has started since early ninetis. Today they are almost cornered by civilization & destruction of Jungles.
Do you know Jumbos are very very quickly vanishing from Orissa. local news papers almost every day publish a news regarding death of an elephant or death of human caused by attack by elephant. Even herds of elephant comes out from forests which are destroyed by Jungle mafias and others. I have collected just 3 months news articles on this menance. just read it:

• 31.12.2008. Samaja. Elephants are decreasing in number in Orissa. Number of elephants in Forests of mayurbhanj, Baitarini, Sambalpur, Mahanadi, and Souh Orissa Elephant Sanctuary was 2044 in May 1979, but in 2007 the number decreased to 1862 only. Atleast 51 elephants are died out of electrocution during last 7 years.
• 29.12.2008. Samaja. One small girl (3 Yrs) of Village Sanjiuli of Partilo GP underPandapada PS was killed by elephant two years ago; but the parents have not yet received any compensation from the authority.
• 29.12.2008. Tusker terror in capital, 6 injured. One Tusker has entered the Capital Bhubaneswar from Chanda dompada sanctuary; he crushed a tat-Sumo car, 6 person sustained injury, when they were fleeing in fear.
• 27.12.2007. Samaja. One family is paid compensation for death due to elephant attack in Daspalla. The man died in 2007 to protect his paddy from elephants.
• 26.12.2008. Samaja. Another person died in elephant attack in Raikira Block under Baliguda range, when he was returning to his village Mandabada from Parabud village in evening.
• 21.12.2008. Samaja. One died in Elephant attack. One farmer who went to paddy field to work is killed by an elephant in Balipani village of Debgarh Block (Debgarh).
• 17.12.2008. Samaja. One died in elephant attack. In jarda village of Pankadihi GP, while going to visit his relative in he village. The tusker caught him by trump and smashed him under feet.
• 11.12.2008. Indian Express. Elephant hurls youth to death. A wild elephant killed one 27 year old youth in Kichimiri village of Budham GP about 30 km from Rajgangpur PS. He was coming to village crossing the forest and was attacked by 5-6 elephants, while other villagers accompanying him fled.
• 7.12.2008. Indian Express. Jumbos chased away. Forest officials managed to chase a herd of 45 elephants that had strayed into villages located in the foothills of Barapahad Hill range under Dungripali P.S. Sonepur district. Elephants destroyed paddy crop over 45 hectares in villages of Rengali, Tileimal, Bangtentuli, saharapali, Bisalpali, Lihurapali and Kudatera.
• 6.12.2008. Samaja.Elephant herd left Sonepur. A herd of 50 elephants that were creating terror in Rengali Panchayat area since last few days, headed towards Barapahar. On the way they damaged crops in Bishalpali, Khemundiamunda, Tileimal etc villages. They crops over 100 acres in many villages.
• 4.12.2008. Samaja. A Tusker Elephant is shot by gun in Satkoshia Sanctuary, but Forest Departmet not yet able to trace it out; it is suspected to be prowling in the forest
• 1.12.2008. Samaja. In Loisinga (Balangir) Elephants are invading since last 7 years, but no prohibitory actions are taken till now.kadalipali, badibahal, Khuntimunda, Chouhanpali, Bhaliamunda, Ranasarda, nardakata, Dumerpalipandiadungri etc villages are facing regular destruction of crops by elephants.
• 30.11.2008: Samaja. Terror by Elephants destroyed 3 huts and ready paddy of 1,000 acre land. A herd of 22 elephants has raised much terror in 4 GPs of of Talcher Forest range. They are hiding in forest during day time and coming out to eat paddy during night.
• 26.11.2008. Indian Express. Jumbo menace stalks Sambalpur farmers. Elephants have trample at least 21 persons in eight years.And at least 750 hectres of standing paddy crops have been damaged by the animal.
• 25.11.2008, Indian Express. Pachyderm found dead in Gurundia Reserve Forest, Bonai sub-division, it is claimed to be over 85 years old, and had a natural death.
• 22.11.2008 samaja. Elephant calf died, who was rescued by Forest officials a d Tribals from pit.
• 21.11.2008. Samaja. Elephant calf rescued from pit. One ten month old calf was rescued by Tribals from a pit in forest in Kahallikot block.
• 20.11.2008. Samaja. Elephant corridor blocked by aerodrome boundary, Elephants are roaming in Malimunda area (Jharsuguda). The herd is unwilling to leave the Malimunda forest to protect its new-born calf; the herd has many calves and pregnant female elephants. They are eating stocked crops in Malimunda and Jamadarpada villages at night.
• 18.11.2008. Indian Express. Jumbos on the prowl in Jharsuguda. They are seen on the outskirt of Jharsuguda town on Jharsuguda –Sundargarh road paralysing traffick for two hours on busy state High Way. They destroyed paddy in villages like Malimunda, Bandarpada and Jamidarpada.
• 14.11.2008. Indian Express. Elephants trigger panic in villages; a herd of about 100 elephant invaded the villages of Malimunda, Bandarpada, and Balijhuri and damaged the crops.
• 8.11.2008. Samaja. Elephants herd enters villages and destroyed crops in Dereng and Ghantianali villages of Kanhia Block
• 7.11.2008. Indian Express. Carcass of a 10 year old Female elephant found lying in Kandhara Reserve Forestin Hindol Sub-division of Dhenkanal.
• 6.11.2008. Samaja. Elephants raising panic in 3 Gram Panchayats—Kashigumma, Gunpur, mahulpatna (Kalahandi)
• 5.11.2008. Indian Express. Elephant Calf rescused from well. Officials of Kolabira Forest range has rescued this calf from well of a farmer at Bahamunda village, Kendumal GP (Jharsuguda).
• 27.10.2008. Samaja. 3 injured in Tusker attack near Grinjelmal village of Gaisilet Block (Bargarh).
• 17.10.2008: Indian Express: Another Tusker electrocuted. In Chandanmura Dungri, a hillock of Sankobahal village, under Bamra Forest Wildlife division. The Tusker was about 50 years old and with a height of 2.61 meterand the two tusks measured about 2 feet each.