Barbil, (OT Webdesk) — An elephant encountered difficulty crossing the Bhadrashahi-Malda State Highway 10B near Barbil College in Keonjhar district on Saturday morning around 9 AM. The presence of illegally parked heavy vehicles and unauthorised encroachments along the roadside obstructed its movement.
The Barbil Forest Range’s trained Elephant Squad promptly intervened, ensuring the elephant safely crossed the road towards the Thakurani Reserve Forest. On receiving information, Forest Range Officer Sanjeev Kumar Raut and his team arrived at the scene and conducted an inspection.
They discovered that trucks transporting iron ore were illegally parked in a designated college parking area, which had also become a hub for unauthorised shops and encroachments.
Forest Department’s Actions
To address the issue, the department installed warning boards along the highway near the college, urging drivers to maintain controlled speed and stay alert while crossing the elephant movement zone.
Additionally, Forest Officer Raut stated that immediate action would be taken to remove the illegal parking and encroachments to facilitate unhindered elephant movement in the area.
Monitoring Elephant Movements
As of the latest update, the elephant was expected to move towards Balita Forest, where a herd of six elephants resides. The Elephant Squad continues to closely monitor their movements, ensuring safe passage and keeping local residents informed.
The department’s initiative is seen as a significant step towards wildlife conservation and creating safer pathways for elephants in their natural habitat.
