Odisha's forests have witnessed the deaths of 136 wild elephants between April 2024 and September 2025. The concerning data was presented to the Assembly by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia on Tuesday.
Electrocution has emerged as the primary cause of these deaths, accounting for 42 fatalities. Other significant causes include:
- Diseases: 31 elephants succumbed to various diseases.
- Natural Causes: 31 deaths were attributed to natural causes.
- Train Accidents: Four elephants were killed in train accidents, highlighting the need for improved safety measures along rail routes.
- Human-Elephant Conflict: Four deaths were linked to conflict with humans.
- Poaching: Four cases of poaching were reported.
- Undetermined Causes: The causes of death for 20 elephants remain unknown, with investigations ongoing.
The Forest Department has taken action, with 92 individuals arrested and forwarded to courts in connection with the elephant deaths. Minister Khuntia assured the Assembly that these cases are being regularly monitored.
In related updates, Minister Khuntia also addressed the issue of forest land encroachment, stating that 166 hectares of forest land are currently under illegal occupation across the state. The department has filed 7,580 cases to address these encroachments, successfully reclaiming 16,178.47 hectares thus far.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the state's efforts to combat timber theft, with 21,166 timber offenders arrested in the last three years. Fines collected during this period amounted to Rs 7.45 crore. The government also distributed Rs 2.70 lakh as reward money to 385 individuals who provided credible information on timber smuggling.
