Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified its efforts to prevent unnatural elephant deaths and ensure their conservation, highlighted by a significant increase in the elephant population.
According to the Forests, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, the state has implemented a series of initiatives to safeguard its elephant population, which rose from 1,976 in 2017 to 2,103 in 2024—a growth of 127 elephants over seven years.
In response to queries by BJD legislators Dhruba Charan Sahoo and Prasanna Acharya in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, the Minister outlined several proactive measures.
These include the declaration of three dedicated elephant reserves in Mayurbhanj, Mahanadi, and Sambalpur districts, along with the identification and maintenance of 14 traditional elephant corridors to facilitate safe movement.
To prevent unnatural deaths, the government is undertaking initiatives like habitat enrichment, planting edible-grade trees, developing grazing lands, creating artificial water bodies, and protecting forests from fires.
Anti-poaching measures include deploying specialized squads, conducting forest patrols, and monitoring wildlife and poachers using advanced technology.
Additionally, the government is conducting widespread awareness campaigns among local communities regarding elephant movement. In the unfortunate event of human fatalities caused by elephant encounters, an ex-gratia amount of ₹6 lakh is provided to the victim’s family.
The government’s comprehensive approach reflects its commitment to conserving Odisha’s elephant population and addressing challenges posed by human-wildlife conflicts.
