8 killed in elephant attacks since April in Odisha, public irk growing

The unprecedented rise in man-animal conflicts has become a matter of serious concern in Odisha. Efforts by the Forest department seem to be falling apart, with eight deaths since April. The Bonai Forest Division has witnessed at least eight human deaths from April till now with substantial damage to houses and crops.

While the forest division had reported 12 human deaths in 2023-24, it has witnessed around eight deaths from April till now, sparking outrage among locals. Despite a host of preventive measures and drone surveillance to keep track of the movements of elephants, jumbo attacks are yet to be brought under control.

At least 80-90 elephants are present in different forests of the Bonai forest division. Two marauding solitary tuskers staying in the Koida and Bonai forest ranges are the biggest troublemakers. In the latest incident, a tusker killed an elderly villager in the wee hours of Friday. A day back two forest employees were attacked by one of the tuskers while they were keeping track of their movement.

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The rise in elephant attacks has spread resentment against the failure of the Forest Department. Angry villagers accused the Forest Department of failing to ensure the safety of the poor and vulnerable villagers. Most of the poor people, living in thatched mud houses, are the main victims of the tuskers.

The tuskers damage the houses, resulting in people’s death and loss of property. Till now, the forest division has paid around Rs 1.5 crore in compensation for the deaths and loss of property.

When contacted, DFO Lalit Patra said the Forest Department is leaving no stone unturned to protect human lives and property.