Forest fires at different locations in the state are causing immense damage to Odisha’s flora and fauna. What is worse is that in many places wild animals are being driven to human settlements owing to these forest fires.
Sources said the forest department, which is plagued by manpower shortage, has failed to contain fires in Telipal area under Nilagiri range.
Unable to bear the rising temperatures inside the forests due to raging fires, elephants, snakes and other animals are intruding into Telipal village, triggering panic among people.
n another incident, locals spotted a wild elephant on Sikharchandi hills near Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Although it could not be ascertained as to where the elephant came from, it is believed that the pachyderm strayed from the nearby Chandaka forest. It is likely that the elephant strayed from its herd owing to wildfire on the hills and is unable to return to its habitat.
Locals first spotted the elephant on March 11 night and the Forest department officials had tried to drive away the animal after dousing the fire on Sikharchandi hills.
Panicked, the animal was restlessly seeking an escape route, sources said. However, no forest official had reached there to drive out the animal when the last report came in.
