A 65-year-old man, Chhabi Dehury, lost his life in a wild elephant attack in Kalanda village, located within the Khajuriakata section of the Hindol forest range in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Thursday.
According to local reports, Chhabi Dehury was coming to a cashew orchard when a tusker attacked him early this morning. The elephant trampled him, leading to his immediate death at the scene. Villagers informed the forest department, which promptly arrived at the location, drove the elephant away, and seized the body for further investigation. The body was sent to Hindol Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The incident sparked brief tension among the villagers, who expressed frustration over the recurring elephant attacks in the area. However, the forest department assured immediate government assistance to the victim’s family, including compensation as per state guidelines, which helped calm the situation. The department also reiterated its ongoing efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflicts, though locals claim that these measures have been inadequate.
The Hindol forest range has witnessed a surge in elephant attacks in recent years, with the death toll rising steadily. Despite the forest department’s efforts to track elephant herds, install barriers, and raise awareness among villagers, many residents continue to venture into forested areas, often ignoring warnings. This has led to a tragic cycle of fatalities, property damage, and growing fear among communities living near elephant corridors.
The death of Chhabi Dehury has left the Kalanda village in mourning, with locals demanding more robust measures to prevent such tragedies. The forest department has promised to intensify patrolling and explore long-term solutions, such as creating alternative corridors for elephants and enhancing early warning systems.
