Bhubaneswar, April 21 -- After a long gap, a herd of elephants has returned to the forest region of Athagarh in Odisha's Cuttack district, triggering panic among the local farmers. 

According to information from the Forest Department, a group of 22 elephants is currently residing in the mango orchards within the Sukasana Reserve Forest area.

The sudden movement of the herd has left the farming community in a state of anxiety. Villagers fear that the elephants may venture into agricultural fields during the night, a common occurrence in such situations. With the ongoing cultivation of vegetables and the cashew harvest season underway, farmers are particularly worried about potential crop damage.

The presence of the elephants has si...