PPCP Model Ideal For Resolving Human-Elephant Conflict: Odisha Forest Minister

Bhubaneswar: A Public-Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model will be ideal for resolving human-elephant conflict in Odisha, Forest Minister Pradip Kumar Amat said on Monday, describing jumbos as an integral part of the eco-system.

Speaking at the 11th Foundation Day function of Save Elephant Foundation Trust in Bhubaneswar, the Minister said that the state government is trying its best to ensure peaceful co-existence of both human being and elephant.

Noting that human-elephant conflict is increasing day by day and has become a menace in some parts of the state, Amat said it is to remember that elephants are an integral part of ecosystem. “After dinosaurs, it is at present the largest land animal. If it disappears, no other species can fill up the ecological niche,” he said.

Elephant has a huge influence on eco-system, particularly in forest. It is considered as an indicator of good forest, which is quite essential for the existence of human life on earth, stated both PCCF (WL) Sushil Kumar Popli and PCCF and HoFF Debidutta Biswal.

IGF and Director of Project Elephant Ramesh Kumar Pandey elaborated on the human-elephant situation prevailing now. Other distinguished speakers emphasised on the requirement of elephant for a healthy ecosystem.

A photo exhibition was organised and frontline forest staff and ‘Hati-Sathis’ were felicitated during the function.