India, Dec. 27 -- Amid the peak picnic and tourist season, the Forest Department on Saturday ordered the closure of the Shikharchandi shrine and adjoining hill areas on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar city after elephants were spotted roaming the region.

Elephant movement triggers closure According to forest officials, two male tuskers have been moving within the Shikharchandi hill zone for the past four to five days. Their presence was confirmed in the forest patch behind an under-construction water tank atop the hill.

Public access suspended indefinitely As a precautionary measure, the Chandaka Forest Division decided to restrict public movement in the area for an indefinite period. The main entrance gate of the Shikharchandi shrine has ...