Bhubaneswar:As many as 843 wild elephants have died in Odisha during 2010-2021 March, State Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha told the state Assembly today.
Replying to a question of Mr Mohan Majhi (BJP), the Minister said the highest number of 93 elephants were killed in 2018-19 followed by 86 in 2015-16, 83 in 2010-11, 82 each in 2012-13 and in 2019-20 .
The year 2014-15 recorded the lowest number of 54 elephant casualties while as many as 72 elephants were killed till March 22 last in 2020-21.
The state government, he said in association with the Union government ,has taken several short term and long term measures to resolve the elephant - man conflicts.
He said three elephants reserves—Sambalpur elephant reserve, Mahanadi elephant reserve and Mayurbhanj elephant reserve and 14 elephant corridors in 16 Forest divisions have been identified.
A proposal to increase the area of Mahanadi elephant reserve from 1038.3 sq km to 2181.521 sq km and the Sambalpur elephant reserve from 426.91 sq km to 1797. 048 sq km to give more space for the movement of elephants is under the consideration of the state government, he said.
Mr.Arukha said during the last ten years Rs 1070.69 lakh has been spent to solve the elephant man conflict under the CAMPA scheme of both the state and the central government.
Odisha CM intervenes after 6 jumbo deaths reported in Kalahandi
Recently, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his concern over the death of six elephants in Karlapat Wildlife sanctuary in Kalahandi district during the first two weeks of february and directed the officials to consult experts at national level to prevent further casualty.
Reviewing the situation through video conferencing Mr Patnaik directed the Forest and Environment and the Animal Resources departments to take steps jointly to prevent the death of elephants.
He advised the officials of both the department to take the advice of experts from the state as well as the country.
According to some experts the elephants in the reserve forest died of Hemorrhagic Septicemia due to an infection caused by a bacteria called Pasteurella Multoccida There were eight elephants in a herd out of which six have already died.(UNI)
