Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s forests are witnessing a positive trend in elephant conservation, as revealed by the Odisha Elephant Census 2024. The census, announced on World Elephant Day by Susant Nanda, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) for Wildlife, shows an increase in the elephant population within the state’s forest divisions.
The 2024 census recorded 2,098 elephants across 38 Forest Divisions, an increase of 122 elephants compared to the 2017 census, which counted 1,976 elephants. The data indicates a stable population with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.17, suggesting a balanced demographic structure within the elephant population.
One of the key findings of the census is a 40% rise in the number of adult tuskers over the past seven years, contributing to a healthier male-to-female ratio and a notable presence of young elephants, signaling a thriving population. The census detailed the composition of the population, counting 313 adult tuskers, 13 adult makhnas, 748 adult females, 148 sub-adult males, 282 sub-adult females, 209 juveniles, and 385 calves.
However, the census also noted disparities in elephant distribution across the state. While divisions such as Angul, Athgarh, Dhenkanal, Baripada, Chandaka, Khurda, Bonai, and Keonjhar saw a significant rise in elephant numbers, there was a decrease in populations in divisions like Similipal North, Similipal South, Balasore, Rairangpur, Bolangir, and Parlakhemundi. Notably, 13 divisions reported no elephants at all.
PCCF Nanda highlighted the changing movement patterns of elephants, particularly in the Angul, Rourkela, and Baripada circles, where shifts in elephant migration were observed. He also noted that elephants from neighboring states like Jharkhand and West Bengal are increasingly moving into Odisha’s forests, attracted by the favorable environment.
The census also reported that 584 elephants, about 28% of the state’s total population, were found in Odisha’s three designated elephant sanctuaries. This concentration underscores the importance of these protected areas in the state’s ongoing efforts to conserve its elephant population.