Kendrapara, April 16: More than a dozen people have been injured in the past week in yet another outbreak of man-animal conflict at villages near mangrove forest zones here.

At least 17 villagers from Iswarpur, Rangani, Vopal and Pravati have been injured in attacks by wild boars. The animals had strayed into the village crop fields, said officials.

The straying of wild boars into forest-side villages has become a cause of worry for forest officials. "Apart from attacking humans, there are reports of wild boar species straying into crop fields and causing damage. The forest department has intensified night vigil to ward off the straying animals," said forest range officer Akshaya Kumar Nayak.

The forest department is bearing the cost the injured's treatment. Besides, the department will also disburse compensatory allowance, according to the rules framed for animal attack cases, said an official.

"There are reports of herbivores ravaging the crop fields at the forest-side villages. The forest department has initiated steps to protect both humans and wildlife," said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

"The department has already erected galvanised steel fencing at strategic spots to stop animal intrusions. Local residents have been trained and provided with contractual assignment to keep night vigil at villages to drive away the animals. It has also formed squads, which maintain watch by bursting firecrackers and beating drums to keep the animals at bay. We have advised the villagers to avoid movement during the night and early morning, when the animals mostly make their way to the crop fields," said Acharya.

Local residents are frightened at the possibility of being attacked by the animals. The loss of crop has compounded their woes. "People feel that their safety has been jeopardised as a result of frequent trespassing by wild animals into the villages," said Rangani villager Pradip Das.