Tragedy Strikes Belatuni Village as Elephant Herd Kills Local Resident

Belatuni village in Odisha’s Ganjam district was gripped by fear late Friday night when a herd of wild elephants entered the settlement and fatally attacked a 40-year-old man, Bikram Nayak. The victim was inside his home when the elephants dragged him out and trampled him to death.

Local residents immediately alerted authorities. Forest officials and police rushed to the scene and confirmed the death. MLA Pradyumna Kumar Nayak instructed the District Forest Officer to initiate swift action and ensure financial assistance for the bereaved family under government provisions.

The incident has sparked widespread panic in the village, with residents voicing concerns over the increasing frequency of human-elephant conflicts. Many blamed deforestation and shrinking wildlife habitats for the surge in elephant incursions.

Villagers are demanding stronger protective measures and faster response from forest officials. Wildlife experts have urged the implementation of early warning systems and relocation strategies to prevent future tragedies.

Authorities have begun tracking the elephant herd to mitigate further risks. Bikram Nayak’s death adds to the growing list of wildlife-related fatalities in Odisha, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable wildlife management and community engagement.