Odisha lost 790 elephants in the past decade; electrocution leading cause of unnatural deaths

Odisha loses 790 elephants in a decade, with electrocution as the leading cause of unnatural deaths.

Odisha has lost 790 elephants over the past one decade, with electrocution the leading cause of unnatural deaths of elephants.

As many as 126 elephants were electrocuted while 26 elephants perished after being hit by speeding trains, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, State Forest and Environment Minister, said in response to a query in the Odisha Assembly. Similarly, 12 elephants died in road accidents.

People were found to have killed 12 elephants vengefully in the State. While disease claimed the lives of the highest number of elephants (290), natural reasons have been attributed as the cause of 216 elephant deaths. The Forest and Environment Department could not ascertain any reason behind the death of 81 jumbos.

“Steps are being taken to protect elephant habitats, create plantations that suit their food habits, and develop meadows and drinking water sources. Efforts are being made to use modern technology to keep track of wildlife offenders, and deploy anti-poaching squads,” Mr. Singkhuntia said.

The Dhenkanal Forest Division appears to be a graveyard for elephants as the highest number of elephants — 132 — have died in the division, followed by 67 in neighbouring Athagarh district. Keonjhar, Balasore and Deogarh are other forest divisions where jumbo deaths were reported at frequent intervals.

Since January this year, 58 elephants have died, one of the worst years in elephant deaths thus far.

Man-elephant conflict has taken a serious turn with 668 persons trampled to death by elephants, and 509 escaping with injuries over the past decade. As many as 10,259 houses were damaged by raiding elephants, and standing crop on 73620.82 acres of land destroyed.