High-Level Workshop in Bhubaneswar Charts New Strategy to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards strengthening wildlife conservation and ensuring community safety, the Odisha government on Friday held a high-level workshop on human-wildlife conflict mitigation at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan.

Presiding over the session via video conference, Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, proposed the introduction of a structured, roster-based system for community volunteers, particularly focusing on Gaja Sathis and Bidyut Praharis. The initiative aims to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and rapid response to wildlife movement, especially in conflict-prone areas.

Emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance, the Minister said that effective mitigation of human-wildlife conflict demands continuous, 24/7 oversight and dedicated field engagement. He interacted directly with grassroots volunteers to understand the practical challenges they face and also addressed concerns raised by MLAs who joined the workshop virtually from various districts. Inputs from NGO representatives were also incorporated to make the strategy more inclusive and grounded in field realities.

The workshop featured an address by Prem Kumar Jha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, who underlined the importance of coordinated efforts between forest officials, local administration, and community volunteers. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Dr. Manoj V. Nair, Additional PCCF (Wildlife), on the current status of human-wildlife conflict in Odisha.

Dr. Nair highlighted that a comprehensive action plan has been put in place, supported by regular monitoring and periodic reviews, which have already resulted in noticeable improvements, particularly in managing human-elephant conflict. He stressed the need for continued capacity building, data-driven planning, and community participation to further strengthen outcomes.

The workshop concluded as a collaborative platform, bringing together protection squads, frontline forest staff, and grassroots workers to refine Odisha’s response mechanisms. The deliberations focused on enhancing preparedness, minimizing risks to human life and property, and ensuring long-term protection of the state’s rich biodiversity.

The initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to adopting proactive, community-centric, and technology-enabled approaches to address the growing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence.