Jharsuguda: In a tragic incident, a 60-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild tusker inside the Pitamal Reserve Forest under the Bagdihi Forest Range of Jharsuguda Forest Division on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Hira Buda (60), a resident of Pitamal village under Kirmira block. According to forest officials, Buda frequently ventured into the forest for daily work. When he did not return home on Monday evening, his family members launched a search. They later found his body lying inside the forest, crushed by a tusker.
Upon receiving information, forest personnel and police reached the spot and initiated an inquiry. The body was subsequently sent for post-mortem examination.
Speaking about the incident, Bandana Pasayat, Bagdihi Forest Ranger, said, “We have handed over the body to the family after the post-mortem. The family will be provided compensation as per government norms.”
This incident has once again highlighted the growing concerns of human-elephant conflict in the region, with villagers urging authorities to strengthen monitoring and alert mechanisms to prevent such tragedies.
