Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s elephant population has increased marginally in the last seven years.
As per the findings of the All Odisha Elephant Census-2024 carried out in the entire state in 48 Forest divisions across 28 districts from 22nd May to 24th May this year, a total of 2098 elephants were counted in 38 Forest divisions as compared to the last elephant census carried out in 2017 wherein 1976 elephants were counted.
There has been an increase of 122 elephants in the last 7 years.
“After 7 years this year, we have sighted a total of 2098 elephants in 38 divisions of our state. These are the minimum, there might be more. The sightings of these elephants have been video graphed or photographed with GPS coordinates so that there is no duplication. In the last elephant census in 2017 there were 1976 elephants,” revealed Susant Nanda, PCCF (Wildlife) addressing a presser here today.
Nanda informed that the male tusker ratio vis-a-vis females is very good.
“While there were 344 tuskers vis-a-vis 1092 females in 2017, now there are 474 vis-a-vis 1030 females. In Angul and Sambalpur area there are 1 tusker: 1 female cow which is a very good sex ratio for the elephant population to grow,” he added.
The PCCF (Wildlife) further informed that in winter when paddy crop is harvested, elephants come from adjoining areas.
“So we have kept November 14, 15 and 16 to ascertain how many elephants are using Odisha landscape. Around 100-150 elephants from adjoining States come to Odisha during this time,” the PCCF (Wildlife) added.
