Wild elephants have triggered fear near Shikharachandi Hills, a popular picnic spot close to Bhubaneswar.
Two tuskers from Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary entered the area, damaging fences and moving toward human settlements near Patharagadia village.
On Friday morning, locals spotted the elephants crossing railway tracks, briefly disrupting train movement. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Forest officials confirmed that the herd broke several household boundaries, leaving residents anxious.
Authorities deployed teams to drive the elephants back safely toward Chandaka or Bharatpur forests. Drones are being used to track their movements, and police have restricted public entry to the hills.
This is not the first such incident. In December 2025, elephants roamed Shikharachandi for several days, forcing the closure of the site. Earlier years also witnessed similar episodes, highlighting the recurring human-elephant conflict in the region.
Forest officials explained that elephants often wander into the area in search of food and water. With picnic season attracting large crowds, the risk of conflict increases. While no major casualties have occurred so far, the department remains on high alert to ensure safety.
