As per a press note released on Sunday, Odisha State Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia has written a letter to the Additional Cheif Secretary of Forest, Environment & Climate Change Satyabrat Sahu expressing concern over the 50 unnatural deaths of elephants in 2024.
The 50 ‘unnatural’ elephant deaths in the state of Odisha have created an alarming situation for the state authorities. The government has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter. The probe report is expected to be submitted in a month.
Ganesh Ram Singh Khunia called the situation ‘alarming’ and questioned the sincerity of the forest officials. In a letter to Satyabrata Shau, the state’s Forest and Environment Secretary, he went on to report on and call for action against incompetent officials.
Elephants in Danger: The Sincerity of Forest Officials Questioned
The forest minister said, “The government has been taking various steps to prevent the unnatural death of the elephants, such as deploying Gaja Sathis and Rapid Action Teams, etc.”
He said, the ‘negligent and inefficient’ officers will be called out and suitable actions will be taken against them. Their casual approach has denied the elephants access to safe surroundings and consequentially cost them their lives.
The inefficiency in safeguarding the elephants leading to 50 unnatural deaths will not be taken lightly. Several forest divisions are charged accordingly and a probe into the death of unnatural 50 deaths has started.
All Odisha Elephant Census 2024 claims a slight increase
Conducted by the State government, the All India Elephant Census 2024 showcases a slight increase in the number of elephants. Despite this, the unnatural death of 50 elephants, caused majorly by poachers has become a matter of concern.
The 2024 Census report, released in June, reported 2098 elephants in 38 forest divisions of Odisha as compared to 1906 in 2017. The 2098 elephants include 748 adult females, 313 adult tuskers, 282 sub-adult females, 209 juvenile elephants, 13 adult makhna (Asiatic male elephants without tusks),148 sub-adult males, and 385 calves.
