Statesman News Service
July 11, 2007
KEONJHAR, July 11: If the death of three-year-old Anita at Sanajiuli in Ghatagon range is any indication, there is least difficulty in apprehending that the man-elephant conflict is still on despite the forest department’s several measures like electric fencing taken to restrict these pachyderms from roaming into the villages.
Some environmentalists are of the opinion that only the execution of the proposed Baitarani Elephant Reserve Project will go a long way towards controlling the elephant menace that has been causing a great damage to the human beings.
An area of 10,560 sq km covering parts of four neighbouring districts has already been earmarked. Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Angul and Sundargarh are to part with 6,548sq km, 2244 sq km, 439 sq km and 1329 sq km respectively for the project proposed in 2002 but yet to take of.
According to sources, hundreds of people have fallen prey to these wild elephants. While last year alone 10 people were tossed to death, the total toll is pecked at 74 since 2001-02. Likewise the opposite side has losses too. Since 2001-02, 46 elephants have been died because of various reasons.
However, the villagers of Sanajiuli have demanded compensation for the deceased’s family and the elephants be driven into forest. The forest department gave Rs 1,500 to the Anita’s family.
Orissa will build a memorial for a baby female elephant which was rescued by state wild life officials on May 5, but died a few days later after its reunion with its herd.
The elephant named Kalinga, was kept in the Bharatpur wild life sanctuary for a month after it was rescued by the wildlife officials. But, its carcass was recovered on July 1 at Bharatpur on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
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