Bhubaneswar: Thirteen out of 256 elephant deaths were killed by poachers in Odisha reported in past three years. As many as 32 poachers were arrested in the same period, forest minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia informed the assembly on Tuesday in a written reply.Responding to a question from Mahakalpada MLA Durga Prasan Nayak on elephant deaths, causes and poacher arrests, the minister said, “In three years (from 2023-24 to 2025-26), 256 wild elephants have died in the state. During this period, 13 wild elephants have been killed by poachers and 32 poachers have been arrested.”The minister said 431 people were killed and 457 houses were fully damaged in elephant attacks over the same period.To prevent unnatural elephant deaths, the forest department has taken up measures such as habitat protection and enrichment, plantation of fodder-suitable trees, development of grazing land, creation of artificial water bodies, prevention of forest fires, anti-poaching camps, forest patrolling, and monitoring of elephant and poacher movement. The department is also deploying anti-depredation and anti-poaching squads and using modern technology, the reply said.In another written reply to Aul MLA Pratap Keshari Deb, the minister gave year-wise data on casualties in elephant attacks. In 2024-25,143 people and 73 domestic animals were killed. In 2025-26, 192 people and 48 domestic animals were killed. In 2026-27 (so far), 96 people and 12 domestic animals have been killed.The minister said the state is using scientific methods to track elephant movement, raise public awareness, form elephant protection squads and appoint ‘gaja saathis’ to reduce human-elephant conflict. Measures include digging trenches in sensitive areas, building stone barriers and watchtowers, and providing solar fencing at subsidised rates under public safety and elephant protection scheme.Awareness drives are being carried out through village forest protection committees and eco-development committees. The reply said immediate ex gratia assistance is being provided, alongside efforts to improve elephant habitats and strengthen protection measures.
