Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated an International Workshop on Best Practices in Human-Elephant Coexistence in Bhubaneswar, calling for global collaboration to ensure peaceful living between humans and jumbos.
Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that the state government is set to establish the world’s first “Centre for Species Survival: Asian Elephant” at Godibari near Chandaka Wild Life Division, Bhubaneswar. The centre will be set up in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, Wildlife Trust of India, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, he said.
Stating that the centre will drive research, policy, and best practices not just for Odisha, but for all of South and Southeast Asia, Majhi said the initiative has set a new global benchmark in conservation of Asian Elephant. “It will serve as a regional hub for advancing science, shaping policy and driving community action across South-East Asia for elephant conservation,” he said.
Addressing dignitaries, delegates, and experts from India and abroad, the Chief Minister said, “In Odisha, elephants are more than animals—they are part of our identity, history, and spirituality. The elephant, as the National Heritage Animal, truly holds a special place in our hearts.”
Noting that expansion of agriculture and infrastructure growth have been reducing traditional elephant habitats and resulting in man-elephant conflict, Majhi voiced concern over rising conflicts due to habitat loss.
The Chief Minister outlined Odisha’s initiatives, including mapping elephant corridors, restoring degraded forests, empowering local protection groups through Gaja Saathi and Vana Surakshya Samitis, strengthening anti-poaching squads, and using GPS collars, drones, and AI cameras for tracking elephant movement. He also highlighted Odisha’s comprehensive approach to managing this challenge by protecting elephants while safeguarding communities.
“Our vision is to create a development model for Odisha where elephants roam freely, our forests remain healthy, and communities coexist in peace with animals. This model will inspire the rest of the world, he expressed confidence,” he said
The workshop brought together conservationists, researchers, policymakers, and international delegates to discuss strategies for mitigating human-elephant conflict and ensuring sustainable coexistence.
“This workshop was not just a discussion, but the beginning of a coordinated global movement where Odisha is leading from the front. The intensity of the challenge is matched only by our collective resolve. We have moved beyond merely managing conflict to actively building pathways for coexistence. The key takeaway is clear: the future of the elephant is inextricably linked to the well-being and involvement of the communities who live alongside them,” Majhi said.
The CM also released a Coffee Table Book, bibliography, and brochures, along with the screening of a short film showcasing Odisha’s efforts in elephant conservation.
The two-day workshop will witness technical sessions, deliberations, and experience-sharing among experts from across the globe to evolve sustainable strategies for peaceful human-elephant co-existence.
