Rourkela: Elephant, believed to have come from neighbouring Jharkhand, were roaming the Kuanrmunda forest range close to the steel city separated by the river Koel, forest officials said. The influx of jumbos to the forest range had been notice over the last two months, the officials said on Monday. One herd was still staying in the area while two elephants from the group came precariously close to human habitation near Sector-16 area of Rourkela by crossing the river Koel, they said.
The two elephants were spotted moving on the sands of the dry river bed and chased by public, locals said adding the animals left the place without further entry into the township. During the last one year, three elephants had entered the steel city from NIT side and ambled upto Sector-2 area. Fortunately, they left the place soon, the officials said.
On another occasion, a herd comprising over 20 elephants, had come close to Fertiliser Township area, barely four km from the steel township and did not proceed further, said an official.
PTI
