Rourkela: Movement of an elephant herd around the forest range here has made life miserable for local people and cost significant life and property loss.

A 50-year-old woman was killed on Tuesday near Ankurpalli, 50km from here, in jumbo attack. Dhania Lakra had gone to relieve herself early in the morning and ventured a little too far when she faced a male tusker, which trampled her to death. "No one could do anything as the tusker was in a foul mood," said Mangra Munda, a villager. She was killed behind the gram panchayat office.

Ankurpalli sarpanch Sanjukta Rout and zila parishad member Idrish Lakra rushed to the spot. Political activist Rohit Tanty said: "The body was in bad shape." Kuanrmunda ranger S.S. Sahani gave Rs 20,000 to the family for her funeral, while the Red Cross donated Rs 5,000 and the gram panchayat Rs 2,000.

Rourkela divisional forest officer Sanjay Swain said: "She will receive Rs 4 lakh from the government after we submit our final report."

He said that of the six ranges under Rourkela, four were surrounded by over 90 elephants.

"There are fewer calves. Such a large number is a headache for the department. And this is the time they tried to take the corridor," said Swain.