KENDRAPARA: Diwali is not round the corner, but villagers within Bhitarkanika National Park and its nearby areas are on a cracker-buying spree. Reason: They plan to drive out the prowling herds of wild boars and spotted deer feasting on standing crop. Bhitarkanika is home to the largest number of wild boars and spotted deer in the State. A large number of animals is seen devouring ripe paddy and vegetable crops raised by the villagers. Even some wild boars are attacking people bringing the man-animal conflict to the fore. At present, locals are arming themselves with crackers and kerosene to light torches to keep the wild boars and deer at bay. It is actually a testing situation, said Nrusingh Behera of Dangamal village within the park. On an average, more than 1,000 wild boars and about 1,500 deer are entering paddy fields after dark laying waste to crops. However, the villagers seldom retaliate as they know it is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to attack or kill the animals, added Behera.