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Odisha's Elephant Crisis: Deadly Conflicts Surge
13 Feb
Summary
- Odisha recorded 171 deaths in 2024-25, the highest in India.
- The state reports 17 deaths per 100 elephants, far exceeding others.
- Habitat loss from mining is a major driver of conflict.
Odisha is currently facing the most severe human-elephant conflict in India, having recorded 171 fatalities in 2024-25. This alarming figure marks a significant increase, with 127 deaths already noted in the current 2025-26 period as of February 10th. Over the past five years, the state has documented 624 human casualties, the highest nationally.
Wildlife activists point to the expansion of mining and industrial activities as primary drivers. These developments fragment habitats and close vital elephant corridors, forcing elephants into closer proximity with human settlements. Districts like Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Angul, part of the state's mining belt, are reporting the highest number of fatalities.
Experts suggest solutions like corridor restoration and regulated industrial expansion are readily available. However, activists criticize the state's response, arguing it primarily consists of ex gratia payments rather than addressing the root causes, such as the unnotified status of 14 identified elephant corridors. The loss of over 1,700 sq km of tree cover in Odisha between 2001 and 2024, particularly in mining-intensive areas, further exacerbates the issue.
