Two killed in elephant attack in Keonjhar

--Solar fencing to prevent elephants’ death by speeding trains

KEONJHAR/BRAHMAPUR: Two persons were killed in elephant attack in two different places of Keonjhar district on Thursday.

First incident occurred at Lenkada village under Sadar forest range in Keonjhar district on the wee hours of Thursday when the man was fast asleep in his house. After the death, irate villagers blocked the NH-215 demanding compensation for the victim’s family. Due to the road blockade, the communication was disrupted for few hours.

The second incident took place at a village under Telkoi forest range in the district where a woman was killed by the marauding elephants.

On the other hand, to prevent wild animals’ death caused by speeding trains, the State Forest Department is planning to install solar fences on both sides of the railway track from Rambha bypass to Palur junction in Ganjam district where six elephants were mowed down by an express train on December 29 last year.

The forest officials proposed a permanent solution to the problem by giving the solar fencing idea. They have submitted the proposal to the chief wildlife warden and principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) for construction of five-km solar fence at the proposed area near Subalaya, informed Brahmapur DFO SS Mishra.