Elephant herd destroy crops in Keonjhar Naresh Chandra Pattanayak, The Times of India March 27, 2025 See link <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/elephant-herd-destroy-crops-in-keonjhar/articleshow/119608810.cms> for photo. Keonjhar: A herd of 18 elephants has been causing widespread destruction in Sadar forest range area of Keonjhar forest division, leaving local residents in fear and causing significant crop damage. The herd, which emerged from Salarapantha forest on Wednesday night, moved through several villages, including Mahdeijoda, Tikarpada, and Hanumanghat before reaching Kadagarh village. Along their path, the elephants destroyed over an acre of yam crops belonging to Binesh Behera of Tikarpada village, and damaged crops cultivated by Srikant Behera and Basant Behera. During the elephant chase, Hemant Behera (30) from Tikarpada village suffered a fractured right arm after falling and was admitted to Keonjhar district headquarters hospital. Forest officials, along with an elephant drive away squad and local residents, worked throughout the night to drive the herd away from residential areas. As of Thursday morning, the herd was reported to be camping near Ambadhara forest. Local residents have demanded immediate action to drive the elephants back into the forest and compensation for crop and property damage. Assistant conservator of forest Ashok Das said, "The elephant herd is moving in Sadar and Bhuyan Juanga Pirha ranges. We are monitoring its movement. Compensation will be paid for the damages." https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/elephant-herd-destroy-crops-in-keonjhar/articleshow/119608810.cms