Balangir: Panic has gripped residents and tourists near the Harishankar forest area in Khaprakhol block of Balangir district following the reported presence of both an elephant and a leopard in the region.
The Forest Department has stepped up surveillance and launched public awareness drives to prevent untoward incidents.
According to reports, for the past two days, an elephant has been roaming in the foothills of Gandhamardan Hill near Brahmaniguda village under the Harishankar forest range. On Tuesday, forest officials reportedly had a close encounter with the animal and narrowly escaped unhurt.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a leopard was sighted in the Thuta reserve forest near Khaprakhol. Locals from Dudukipadar village claimed to have spotted the big cat on Monday evening. Acting on the information, forest personnel visited the site and confirmed the presence of leopard pugmarks in the area.
The sightings have caused anxiety among residents of villages surrounding the Thuta reserve forest and Gandhamardan foothills, as well as among visitors frequenting Harishankar, one of Odisha’s prominent spiritual and eco-tourism destinations.
Speaking on the situation, Harishankar Forest Range Officer and ACF Arvind Naik said that the department has been alerting the public through loudspeakers about the presence of the wild animals. “We are urging people not to venture deep into the forest and to remain cautious,” he added.
As the tourist season peaks, thousands of devotees and visitors continue to arrive at Harishankar daily to experience its natural beauty and spiritual atmosphere. The dual presence of an elephant and a leopard, however, has now become a matter of serious concern and discussion among both locals and the visiting public.
