File picture of the elephants at Nilgiri

Balasore, Dec. 5: Forest officials have finally managed to drive away an elephant herd that had been camping in the Nilgiri area for nearly a month.

“We are relieved that the elephants have left. The forest department should identify those affected and pay compensation for the loss of their crops and houses at the earliest,” said Rabi Rout, a local resident.

Nearly 100 elephants had come into Balasore district in different groups from Dalma sanctuary of Jharkhand through Bengal. During their annual migration in search of food and water, they have been inflicting damage to life and property.

This time round, while one person was trampled to death, another was wounded severely. During its 27-day stay at Nilgiri, the herd destroyed 700 acres of crops, pulled down 60 mud and thatched houses and ate stored food grains. One of the tuskers, besides killing an elephant calf, killed a bull yesterday.

The forest department of Balasore, along with villagers and the police, had tried repeatedly to chase the animals away but in vain.

“The herd has crossed our jurisdiction and reached Mayurbhanj district. After enumeration of the affected persons and assessment of damage to houses and crops, the victims would be paid compensation,” said range officer of Kuldhia forest Rabinarayan Mohapatra.