Keonjhar: Tribal settlers of a remote forest-side village are spending nights on treetops with jumbo intrusion posing threat to their lives.

"It has become a risky proposition to stay in the house after the sunset. The rampaging elephants are marching into the village and destroying dwelling units at will. So, we are moving atop the tall trees with our families. Wooden frames erected in tree branches have become our nocturnal homes," said Sundhara villager Haguru Munda.

The village lying on the fringe of Khandadhara reserve forest in the Bhuvan and Juanga Pirh range houses about 70 families, all from the scheduled tribes' community.

The herd of jumbos on rampage has targeted the villages ravaging 20 acres of farmland.

It has also damaged a dozen of houses. However, no human toll due to elephant attack has yet been reported - solely because of alertness on part of the tribal settlers. The elephant depredation has been going on unabated at the village since past fortnight.

"Day hours are comparatively safe. Once the sun sets, alarm bells are sounded for the villagers with possibility of elephants striding into their habitation looming large," said Munda.

"We have raised wooden scaffold on treetops. As the sun sets, everybody gets firmly ensconced on the temporary platforms atop the trees. It's a question of survival. We do not have other option to escape from claws of death," he rued. "It has become annual ritual for us. Last year, we had the same ordeal for almost a month."

Elephants attracted by mango trees, vegetable plants and banana plantations have strayed into the village. The jumbos seem to have taken liking towards the rich green cover in the forest. During day hours, the elephants' movement is confined within the forest, while they stride their way into forest-side village after sunset, said a forest official. The skilled service group of elephant chasers and the Global Positioning System tracking teams have rushed to the affected village.