Odisha CM Directs Officials To Step Up Measures, Check Elephant Deaths

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed concern over the deaths of elephants in Karlapat sanctuary in Kalahandi district.

He has directed the Forest and Environment department and Animal Resources department to take steps and check elephant deaths. Six elephants have died in two weeks in the sanctuary.

At a review meeting through video conferencing Naveen asked the two departments to consult experts, from the State and outside, and take measures to prevent deaths.

The district administration and Divisional Forest Officer too were also directed by the CM to ensure vaccination of cattle in the villages close to the sanctuary, disinfect water bodies and send water samples to labs for test.

Experts had said that the elephants died in the sanctuary due to Hemorrhagic Septicemia after getting infected with the Pasteurella Multocida. Out of eight elephants of a herd in the sanctuary, six have died due to the Hemorrhagic Septicemia.

Efforts are on to track down the remaining two elephants of the herd and save them, said a forest official adding, 10 teams of the Forest personnel have been formed to keep a track on the movement of elephants.

Among others, Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department, 5T Secretary and other senior officials were present in the meeting.