Elephant Intrusion Alarm in Banki
On July 25, 2025, residents of Banki in Cuttack district, Odisha, were thrown into panic as a lone wild elephant ventured from the nearby forest into farmland bordering Bhagipur village. The tusker trampled paddy fields, breached a boundary wall, and triggered widespread alarm across the community.
Timeline & Impact
According to forest sources, the elephant entered the area early in the morning, wandering through cultivated land and damaging mature crops. Locals reported the animal breaking a compound wall before retreating back toward forest edges after intervention by local Forest Department teams. The farmland destruction threatens farmers’ peak monsoon yield.
Repeated Conflict Pattern
This is not an isolated event—similar incursions have occurred previously in nearby parts of Banki subdivision. Forest officials say the elephant may be part of a population that annually returns to the fringes of human settlements during monsoon sowing season, particularly drawn by ripening produce.0
Forest Department Actions
Forest Division teams from Banki range have mobilized to monitor the tusker’s path, guide it back deeper into Chandaka Sanctuary, and secure vulnerable villages. Temporary patrols and awareness alerts have been issued to discourage villagers from approaching the animal.
Key Facts
- Date: July 25, 2025
- Location: Bhagipur outskirts, Banki subdivision, Cuttack district, Odisha
- Wildlife: Solitary adult male elephant (tusker)
- Damage: Multiple hectares of paddy fields, breached compound wall
- Response: Forest Department intervention and containment measures
Trivia & Quiz Notes
Quiz fans: Banki subdivision lies just south of the Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, a fringe zone prone to human–elephant conflict, especially during monsoon cropping season.
Trivia tidbit: In Odisha, such elephants often target ripening crops like rice and palm fruit—following predictable seasonal patterns that local foresters track to mitigate conflict.
Source: Odisha Tv