Koraput: Residents of 10 villages on the Niyamgiri hill range in Rayagada district’s Kalyansinghpur forest range are spending sleepless nights with a herd of 18 elephants roaming in the area for past few months. The animals wreaked havoc on agricultural lands and crops.
On Sunday, the elephants destroyed houses, the boundary wall of a govt school and Dongria Kondh Development Agency office, apart from ravaging extensive tracts of agricultural fields in Lakhpadar village.The villagers, primarily Dongria Kondha, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, claim that the current herd of about eight elephants in two groups is highly destructive.
“Our field staff are on high alert, and the movement of the animals is being closely monitored. Villagers have been urged not to disturb the animals. No untoward incident has taken place so far. Efforts are being made to drive the elephants out of the area and prevent further damage,” stated Chandan Gamang, forest range officer, Kalyansinghpur.

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