3 tigers roaming near human habitats since 4 days, claim villagers in Odisha’s Nayagarh

Daspalla: Panic has gripped villagers since a few days  in Sakeshi section of Daspalla forest range in Odisha’s Nayagarh district after local residents claimed movement of three tigers in the area.

Sources said people of Puruna Poibadi area under Tendabadi panchayat are living in fear after villagers claimed to see the pug marks of the big cats in various places. According to them, three tigers are roaming in the area since last four days. “We are hearing the growl of the animals in the night and believe it to be of tigers as some of us have even seen their footprints in the vicinity,” said villagers of Kusumgadia, Barasahi, Khalisahi and Kusumkana who are now apprehensive to step out of their houses after dark. Villagers are even scared to take their cattle and livestock for grazing during daytime, they added.

This is not just the only cause of distress for the locals. Since many days, sources said a 14-member herd of elephants has been moving in the area damaging crops and other properties in search of food. Desperate for respite from this constant plight, villagers have demanded the Forest department to take necessary steps and provide solution  to the human-wildlife conflict in the region and compensate them for the loss adequately.