A herd of four elephants wandered into the Sikharachandi hill area, causing widespread alarm among residents in the Odisha capital on Thursday.
Local witnesses reported spotting the elephants near Sikharachandi, where they were seen hiding in the forested area behind a water tank atop the hill. The unexpected intrusion has heightened fears in the surrounding neighbourhoods, prompting immediate action from forest officials.
According to Bhubaneswar’s Deputy Ranger, efforts are underway to safely guide the elephants back to either the Bharatpur or Chandaka regions. “We are planning to drive the herd towards the Chandaka or Bharatpur sanctuaries to minimize risks,” the official stated.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid approaching the animals, and report any sightings to the forest department without delay.
This incident is not unprecedented, given the hill’s proximity to the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, which often leads to such wildlife incursions. In 2023, a similar elephant herd entered the area, creating panic and necessitating a large-scale operation by the forest department to relocate them back to the jungle. For the current situation, the department has deployed two teams to monitor the elephants’ movements closely while working on a safe evacuation plan.
Recent months have seen heightened elephant activity across Odisha, underscoring the growing human-elephant conflict in the state. In December alone, an injured elephant received treatment at the Chandaka sanctuary. Tragically, a female elephant in Mayurbhanj district died after consuming explosives, and several others have perished in train collisions. In response, the forest department continues to run awareness campaigns to educate communities on coexisting with wildlife.
Authorities emphasise that public safety is paramount, and locals in the Sikharachandi area are advised to exercise caution. The department’s teams remain on high alert to prevent any escalation.
