Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22 (UDN): Odisha recorded the deaths of 256 elephants between 2023-24 and 2025-26, with 13 deaths attributed to poaching, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia informed the State Assembly on Tuesday.

 Representational Image 

The figures were shared in a written reply to a question raised by Mahakalapada MLA Durga Prasad Nayak.

32 Poachers Arrested

The minister told the House that 32 persons had been arrested in connection with elephant poaching cases during the three-year period.

He said the state has strengthened anti-poaching measures by establishing anti-poaching camps, intensifying forest patrols and deploying specialised anti-poaching and anti-depredation squads in vulnerable areas.

Focus On Habitat Protection

According to the minister, the government is implementing several conservation measures to reduce unnatural elephant deaths and improve habitat conditions.

These include plantation of food-bearing trees, development of grazing grounds, creation of artificial water bodies and protection of elephant habitats from forest fires.

The Forest Department is also using technology-based monitoring systems to strengthen elephant protection efforts across the state.

Multi-Department Coordination

The minister said coordination meetings are being held with departments such as Energy, Railways, Water Resources, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development to address factors contributing to elephant deaths and human-elephant conflict.

Public awareness campaigns are also being conducted to encourage coexistence with elephants and reduce conflict in affected areas.

The government said the combined measures are aimed at strengthening elephant conservation, curbing poaching and reducing unnatural deaths across Odisha.