Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: As the world observes World Elephant Day on Tuesday, Odisha finds itself at the centre of both celebration and concern.

Initiated in 2012, this global day aims to raise awareness about elephant conservation, especially for the endangered Asian Elephant, India’s National Heritage Animal.

According to the 2024 All Odisha Elephant Census, the state is home to 2,103 elephants, with over 400 elephants residing outside forest zones. This unusual distribution has led to frequent human-elephant conflicts, as elephants venture into human settlements in search of food and habitat.

Odisha has unfortunately earned the grim distinction of ranking first in India for human fatalities due to elephant encounters. In the past five years, 624 people have lost their lives in such incidents. Additionally, 779 elephants have died over the last decade due to poaching, train collisions, and diseases like herpes.

The issue has drawn national attention. In the Lok Sabha, MP Rudra Pani from Angul raised questions to the Union Environment Minister, urging immediate intervention. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in a recent DFO conference, suggested cultivating elephant-friendly crops like paddy within forest zones to reduce conflict.

Odisha’s elephants are not just ecological keystones but also cultural icons. Yet, their survival hinges on balancing conservation with human safety. As the state commemorates World Elephant Day, the call for sustainable coexistence grows louder.

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