Bear kills four in Orissa

Koraput (Orissa), Sept 26 (ANI): A wild bear has created terror in villages surrounding a forest in the Koraput district of Orissa killing four people and injuring another two in the sleepy hamlet Deopattangi village.

The village located about 50 kms from Koraput town is inhabited by the tribals who depend for a living on the forest where the bear is roaming free.

The villagers fearing more attacks from the bear have formed groups to scare away the wild beast. They fear to venture into the forest and this has affected their livelihood.

"In these forests, the bear is hiding and is attacking people. People and the tribals of this area are scared, " said Binod, a resident.

Officials of the Forest Department said that they were taking all measures to trap the bear. They have also urged the villages not to go towards the forest till then.

"We have announced that no one should go towards the forest. We are patrolling the villages where this bear is expected to go. We have also requested the redesigns to bring it to our notice if the bear approaches their village," said Asif Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, Koraput Division.

The Forest Department has also released 5000 rupees each for the families of those killed and.2000 rupees each for the families of those injured.

According to environmentalists, main reason for wild animals encroaching on human settlements is the rapidly declining forest cover due to expansion of human habitations. (ANI)