Villagers discovered a tusker carcass lying in Porangla forest near Komardha village under Narla range, sparking suspicion of death during a fight with another elephant.
The body had been decomposing for two days, spreading a foul smell. Eyewitnesses claimed two tuskers clashed in the jungle, and one succumbed to injuries. Locals reported hearing loud trumpeting and chaos among elephant herds after the fight.
Forest officials, including Komardha Forester Dialu Raut and Dasarath Sahu, reached the site after villagers informed them. They seized the carcass and later conducted a post-mortem with a veterinary team from Narla. The tusker was buried in a pit near the site.
Senior officers, including North Division DFO Prabhakar Verma, ACF Prabhudatta Mishra, and Range Officer Bharat Bhusan Sabar, inspected the area. They confirmed that two elephant herds remained nearby, delaying immediate access to the carcass due to safety concerns.
The region has witnessed frequent elephant movement over the past decade. Reports indicate five elephants have died in clashes or accidents, while more than ten people lost their lives in human-elephant conflicts. Thousands of acres of farmland have also been destroyed by elephant herds.
The Forest Department admitted challenges in balancing elephant protection with safeguarding human lives and property. Despite repeated efforts, the department continues to struggle against rising elephant-related incidents in Kalahandi.
