World Elephant Day: CM Majhi Urges Collective Action to Protect Odisha’s Gentle Giants

Bhubaneswar: Marking World Elephant Day 2025, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday appealed to citizens to join hands in safeguarding elephants — creatures he described as both cultural icons and vital custodians of the state’s ecological balance.

“Elephants are an integral and inseparable part of Odisha’s cultural heritage and natural environment. From the revered Lord Jagannath to the golden inscriptions of Konark, their majestic presence is deeply woven into our history and traditions,” CM Majhi said in his message.

Highlighting their ecological significance, the Chief Minister called elephants “environmental engineers” essential for maintaining biodiversity and forest health. He warned that the species faces global decline due to multiple threats, making their conservation a shared responsibility.

The state government, he noted, has adopted a scientific and proactive approach to elephant protection — securing and enriching habitats, reducing human-elephant conflicts, and providing compassionate assistance to affected communities.

“Several exemplary steps have been taken to promote the safety and peaceful coexistence of wildlife,” Majhi said, urging citizens to see conservation as a duty rather than a choice.

Concluding his address, the Chief Minister appealed for a collective pledge: “On this World Elephant Day, let us ensure a safe and secure environment for elephants in Odisha and across India.”