Tragedy Strikes as Elephants Trample Three in Kandhamal Forests

Three individuals lost their lives after being trampled by elephants in Kandhamal district's forests. The tragic incidents occurred at separate locations while the victims were collecting firewood. The local community is in panic, blaming the forest department for a lack of warning about the elephants.

In a tragic turn of events, three individuals were trampled to death by elephants in the forests of Kandhamal district, officials reported on Saturday. The incidents happened in separate areas as the victims were gathering firewood, highlighting the pressing issue of human-wildlife conflict.

Two of the deceased, identified as Bama Pradhan and Kirtan Bugarty, met their end at Damba forest in Petapanfa on Friday evening, while another, Duri Pradhan, faced the same fate at Paburia forest on Saturday morning, according to Manikeswari Patnaik, forest range officer of G Udayagiri.

The deadly encounters have sparked widespread fear among the local community, who have criticized the forest department for not informing them about the movement of elephant herds. The department is now employing drones to monitor elephant activities in the area, aiming to prevent further tragedies.

(With inputs from agencies.)