Rasuniya Panchayat Faces Five-Year-Long Elephant Menace, Forest Officials Criticized
Key Points:
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Villages in Rasuniya Panchayat plagued by destructive elephant herds.
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Forest officials urged to relocate elephants to Dalma or Ayodhya forests.
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Residents warn of protests if immediate action is not taken.
SERAIKELA – Villagers in Rasuniya Panchayat live in constant fear as wild elephants damage crops, property, and endanger lives.
For five years, the elephant herds from the Dalma Elephant Project have disrupted life in Ichagarh constituency’s Rasuniya Panchayat and surrounding villages. These elephants, numbering around 25, include calves and adult tuskers. They destroy homes, raid granaries, and trample crops, particularly rice fields, leaving farmers in financial distress.
Villagers claim compensation for damages is inadequate and delayed. “We spend a lot on farming, yet we get minimal compensation,” shared a local farmer. Residents avoid venturing outside after dark, fearing sudden elephant attacks.
In response, villagers, along with Panchayat representatives, have demanded swift action from forest officials. They proposed relocating the elephants to Dalma or Ayodhya forests in Purulia district. The community insists on forming an Elephant Drive Team to expedite the process.
If no action is taken, villagers threaten to protest and block roads, holding the Forest Department accountable. The tension underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address human-wildlife conflicts.
