Four farmers trampled to death by elephant in western Odisha

Wildlife activists said deforestation, large-scale mining and quarrying, industrialization, destructions of elephant corridors and irrigation canals have led to the increasing number of encounters with humans.

Odisha forest department officials said the same tusker, part of a herd, had trampled a farmer in Bargarh district five days ago.

Four farmers in western Odisha districts of Bargarh and Balangir were trampled to death by one wild elephant in two separate incidents on Wednesday morning, said, forest officials.

In Balangir district, farmer Biranchi Sahu (55) was attacked by an elephant at Darlipali under the Loisingha Forest range when he was collecting mangoes.

Another tusker that had strayed from a herd had killed three farmers in Gaisilet Range of Bargarh district a few hours ago. Farmers Mala Seth (54) and Biranchi Kumbhar (56) of Umrad village and Siba Seth (60) of Nathpali village were out of their home to relieve themselves when attacked by the elephant, claimed a forest official. Tension gripped the area following the incident.

Forest department officials said the same tusker, part of a herd, had trampled a farmer in Bargarh district five days ago.

Wild elephants in Odisha have killed 633 people in the last seven years between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2021. The state has already reported 12 human deaths this month alone.