Bhubaneswar: At least 668 persons were killed in attacks by elephants in Odisha during the last three years, the state Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia shared this information while replying a question by BJD MLA Sanatan Mahakud in the House. Elephant attacks have also left and 509 people injured during the period in the state.
During 2022-2023 alone,149 human casualties were reported due to jumbo attack in the state.
The minister also highlighted the growing problem of disturbances created by elephants as jumbo herds destroyed 73,620 acres of crops and damaged 10,259 houses during the period.
Replying to another question by BJD MLA Tusharkanti Behera, the Minister said that 40 elephants, 5 leopards, and 200 other wildlife species have died between July 1 and November 20, this year, in the state.
Departmental inquiries have been conducted into the deaths of elephants and leopards. While 26 people have been arrested in connection with elephant deaths, 2 forest guards, and 1 forester have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duties. Similarly, 14 arrests have been made in death incidents of leopards in the state, the Minister said.
Special initiatives such as safety and upgradation of habitats, tree plantation, creation of artificial water bodies, safety from wildfire, anti-poaching camps, bird protection camps, forest patrolling, monitoring movements of wild animals and poachers, anti-depredation, anti-poaching squad deployment and public awareness are being undertaken to prevent elephant and leopard fatalities in the state, he said.
