Bhubaneswar: 809 people have been killed in human-animal conflicts over the past five years, with more than 2,000 injured and significant damage to crops and property, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia informed the state assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question by senior BJD leader and Rairakhol MLA Prasanna Acharya, Minister Singhkhuntia stated that, in addition to human casualties, 1,619 domesticated animals have died, 10,382 houses have been damaged, and nearly 94,000 acres of crops have been destroyed across the state.
“To reduce such incidents and safeguard both human lives and wildlife, the government has implemented multiple mitigation measures,” Singhkhuntia said. These measures include the protection and development of wildlife habitats, planting of food-providing trees, creation of grazing lands and artificial water bodies, anti-poaching and bird-protection camps, forest patrolling, and the use of traditional knowledge to monitor wildlife and hunters.
The government has also deployed elephant protection teams and damage-prevention squads, assigned elephant companions in sensitive areas, and regulated digging and mining in vulnerable zones. Stone walls and observation domes have been constructed to prevent human-wildlife encounters, and immediate relief is provided to victims under the “Jan Suraksha and Gaj Raksha” (Public Safety and Elephant Protection) scheme. Extensive awareness campaigns are being carried out by the Vana Surakshya Samiti (VSS) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs).
Singhkhuntia said that these combined efforts aim to minimize human casualties while conserving wildlife.
“Our focus is on coexistence. We are taking proactive steps to ensure both human safety and the protection of our natural heritage,” he added.
