Human-elephant conflicts claimed 925 lives in Odisha in 10 years

Disease, accidents, poisoning by poachers and electrocution were some of the key reasons attributed to elephant deaths in the state.

The minister’s reply also revealed that there had been an increasing trend of casualties due to human-elephant conflicts —117 in 2019-20, 139 in 2020-21 and 112 in (2021-22). The corresponding number was 80 in 2012-13, 67 in 2013-14 and 65 in 2014-15.

The state government provides compensation of Rs 4 lakh to family members of victims of human-elephant conflicts and Rs 1 lakh for permanent disabilities.

The minister said according to the latest elephant census conducted in Odisha in 2017, the number of elephants in different wildlife divisions was pegged at 1,976.

Amat said the state government had investigated the death of 39 elephants in the past ten years and chargesheets were filed against 50 people. However, he added that not a single accused has been convicted in these cases.

According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, there is a provision for seven-year imprisonment for killing elephants as it is protected under Schedule-I.

The minister said steps were being taken to protect and develop elephant habitations and meadows, create artificial water bodies, prevent forest fire incidents, conduct anti-poaching camps, awareness creation, patrolling by forest officials and use technology to keep a tab on the movement of elephants.

Official sources said most elephant deaths were reported from Athagarh, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Sambalpur wildlife divisions.

In August last year, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change sent a team to Odisha to inquire into the case of elephant deaths in Odisha after the state had reported around 20 cases of jumbo deaths.

Hearing at least four public interest litigations (PILs) concerning elephant deaths, the Orissa High Court also expressed concern.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, SK Popli, said the state government was able to sustain the elephant population. He said they were taking special measures to check unnatural deaths of elephants, primarily due to poaching, electrocution and accidents.