A brief sense of concern prevailed at the campus of the National Institute of Technology Rourkela on Tuesday morning after two wild elephants reportedly entered the premises. Forest officials and local police responded swiftly, launching a coordinated drive operation to ensure the safety of everyone on campus and the animals.
According to sources, two elephants were seen moving within the campus area, while several others were spotted lingering along the nearby outskirts. Upon receiving the alert, teams from the Forest Department, accompanied by police personnel, immediately reached the location to assess the situation and initiate standard wildlife management protocols.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Jaswant Sethi, along with the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and other field staff, personally supervised the operation. Officials are currently guiding the elephants safely back toward forested areas using established drive procedures designed to prevent harm and minimize distress to both people and wildlife.
Addressing media representatives, the DFO reassured students, staff, and residents that the situation remains under control. “There is no cause for panic. Our teams are actively monitoring the movement of the elephants and taking appropriate steps to manage the situation safely,” he stated.
Campus authorities have advised students, faculty members, and staff to remain indoors and avoid the affected zones until normalcy is fully restored. Vigilance continues as forest teams track the animals’ movement and work toward a peaceful resolution.
