Bhubaneswar, Aug 2: Odisha has emerged as the most affected state in India due to human-elephant conflict, with 624 deaths reported over the past five years, according to data presented in the Rajya Sabha — Odisha Legislative Assembly.

The alarming figures highlight the growing tension between wildlife and human settlements, especially in forest-adjacent districts like Dhenkanal, Angul, and Keonjhar.

Experts attribute the rise in such incidents to habitat loss, deforestation, and human encroachment, which force elephants to stray into populated areas in search of food and water.

Between 2019 and 2024, Odisha has witnessed a sharp rise in human deaths due to elephant attacks, with annual fatalities as follows:

- 2019–20: 117 deaths

- 2020–21: 93 deaths

- 2021–22: 112 deaths

- 2022–23: 148 deaths

- 2023–24: 154 deaths

This brings the total to 624 deaths in five years, making Odisha the state with the highest number of fatalities from elephant attacks in India.

The primary cause behind this tragic trend is elephants straying into human settlements, leading to widespread crop destruction and property loss. As forests shrink and human encroachment increases, elephants are forced to seek food and water in villages, triggering deadly encounters.

Across India, 2,869 people have died due to elephant attacks in the past five years. Odisha alone accounts for nearly 22% of these deaths, underscoring the severity of the crisis in the state.

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