Balasore, Nov. 7: Residents of the district, particularly of Nilgiri and Oupada area, are in panic as a herd of migratory pachyderms has arrived here today.

The herd, which consists of around 80 jumbos, including six to eight tuskers, has sneaked into the district from Betnoti of Mayurbhanj.

Samarendra Barik, a resident of Nilgiri, said: “We are in a state of panic as the herd of elephants has arrived. For the last five years, Nilgiri has been witnessing intrusion of migratory elephants. They stay here for three to four weeks at various forests.”

Rabi Rout, another resident of Nilgiri, said: “The villagers are on alert as the jumbos inflict extensive damage to the property, mainly to agriculture field and thatched houses, when they enter the area.”

The area has become a part of the corridor for the migratory elephants. At present, the herd is camping at Anandapur in Ayodhya reserve forest of Nilgiri sub-division.

Range officer in charge of Kuldiha sanctuary Rabinarayan Mohapatra said: “The herd has arrived in Nilgiri today morning. We are keeping a watch on their movements. ”

“Six schools, including five within Nilgiri range and one within Kuldhia range, have been identified for providing shelter in case of any emergency. If required, we will shift the people to these temporary shelters,” he said.

Every year, the district witnesses the annual migration of jumbos of Dalma sanctuary in Jharkhand. Last year, the administration had to pay about Rs 72 lakh towards compensation for damages to crop field and houses caused by the elephant herd. The elephant herd strayed into the state’s territories crossing Bengal towards end of last month.

Forest range officer of Betnoti Basant Mohanty said: “The herd had around 100 pachyderms. They were divided into two groups. While the bigger group, consisting of 80 pachyderms, have already entered Nilgiri, the smaller group is following them.”

The Balasore district administration held a preparatory meeting in view of arrival of the jumbos. District collector B. Parameswaran directed officials of departments concerned to take measures to prevent man-animal conflict.

“The objective of our preparation is to contain the menace of the jumbo besides to ensure safety of both human beings and pachyderms,” said divisional forest officer Harshabardhan Udgata.

“Six patrolling squads have been formed and as many temporary check posts have been erected in the identified patches to prevent movement of villagers between 4pm and 7am. Besides we have decided to ask the electricity department to disconnect power in the areas where the elephants are moving to prevent electrocution,” he said.