By SANTOSH MOHANTY
A new but dangerous trend is slowly emerging in Bantala region in Angul district as herds of elephants are heading towards human habitation wreaking havoc among the people.
Shortage of trained forest staff has further worsened the situation. Reports said three forest range officers have been asked to manage the affairs of six ranges coming under the jurisdiction of Angul Forest Division. The situation has come to such a pass that the most vulnerable Bantala forest range has been deprived of a full time forest range officer as the present incumbent Madhab Nayak has been given the additional responsibility of Jarapada forest range, 30 km from Bantala.
A skeleton staff in most forest ranges under Angul Forest Division has severely affected the drive to keep at bay marauding jumbos from human habitation and urban pockets as some forest ranges are headed by Deputy Forest Range Officers.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vivek Kumar has admitted that the forest division is presently understaffed, but hoped that things will become normal as soon as new postings will be made. He, however, did not clarify when the vacancies will be filled up.
Earlier, the jumbos were mostly noticed in and around villages situated close to reserved forest areas like Nuakheta, Talagarh, Bargaunia, Maranda and Khinda. The situation has been changed in the recent days as pachyderms, mostly tuskers, are prowling the streets and by-lanes of Bantala, Khalgaon, Sankhapur, Sarangpur, Dhakuta and other areas which are situated away from forest region.
A few days ago, marauding tuskers were seen near Community Health Centre at Bantala sending shockwaves in the minds of doctors and patients as well. This incident has triggered fear among the people of Bantala. Most shopkeepers down their shutters immediately after evening fearing jumbo attack. A month ago, tuskers were seen moving near Bantala Sishu Mandir in the early hours. Although there were no reports of any elephant attack in the area so far, people have become apprehensive that the worst might happen one day as none can guarantee the marauding tuskers will not attack passing vehicles and houses.
The day is not far off when Bantala will experience the same situation like the state capital, Bhubaneswar, where elephants from Chandaka elephant reserve, roam freely in the market places. Bantala is close to Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, and therefore, Bhubaneswar-like situation might not be ruled out.
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