Bhubaneswar: Odisha is home to 2,098 elephants, according to data presented by Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh R Singhkhuntia in the State Assembly today. The Angul forest circle recorded the highest elephant population with 779, followed by Baripada with 431, Berhampur with 177, and Bhubaneswar with 140.
Minister Singhkhuntia highlighted that elephants migrate across forests in Odisha and neighboring states, including Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, in search of food. Elephants from Jharkhand and West Bengal also traverse Odisha, returning to their native states. However, the damage caused specifically by elephants from other states has not been separately quantified.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: A Grim Reality
The minister revealed alarming statistics on human-elephant conflicts in Odisha over the past three years:
- 668 human lives lost to elephant attacks.
- 509 individuals injured due to such encounters.
- 139 domestic animals killed by elephants.
- 10,259 houses destroyed in elephant-related incidents.
- 73,620.82 acres of crops damaged, posing a severe challenge to farmers.
Efforts to Mitigate Conflict
To address these challenges, the Odisha government has identified 14 traditional elephant corridors critical for the safe movement of the pachyderms. Special plantation drives featuring elephant-friendly food plants have been initiated in 86 forest areas frequented by elephants. Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been directed to spearhead these efforts.
The government’s focus on creating sustainable habitats aims to minimize encounters between humans and elephants, ensuring coexistence while preserving the state’s rich biodiversity.