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As the man-elephant conflict has become a common occurrence in Odisha, the forest department is mulling comprehensive measures with use of technology to prevent the rising phenomenon.
“The elephant-human conflict has become a major reason of concern. Therefore, we are planning to use modern technology to reduce the face off. The current system which we are following is manual as human intervention is involved in controlling such issues. But we want it to be automated," said Sashi Paul, PCCF.
Wildlife experts, however, suggested the department to carry out massive plantation featuring the trees which usually the Jumbos consume as a solution.
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“The elephant corridors and their path should be identified first. Massive plantation drive should be carried out on these stretches, so that they would get adequate food. Their infiltration into human settlements can be reduced by this means largely,” said Siba Prasad Parida, wildlife expert.
Massive awareness programme is also needed to lessen the man-animal conflict. On the World Elephant Day, Nandankanan in Bhubaneswar and Kapilash zoo in Dhenkanal celebrated the occasion by feeding delicious food to the jumbos at the rescue centres. Officials said that such move would create awareness among people and sense of affection towards the giants.
Forest department data revealed that 769 elephants have died in the last decade alone for various reasons. The important aspect of the elephant death is the fact that reasons in many such cases are unclear.
The department claimed that poaching of elephants for ivory was rampant earlier but such cases have decreased significantly now-a-days. However, jumbo death due to electrocution and train accident has surged in last few years.
As per the data, as many as 115 elephants has died due to electrocution while 25 deaths occurred due to train run overs on different occasions in the State in the last 10 years. Similarly, 776 people have died in elephant attacks in the State during the period.
