Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, Aug 23: Concerns over wildlife safety in Odisha have intensified following alarming data presented in the Rajya Sabha.

Over the past three years, the state has witnessed 100 unnatural deaths of elephants, raising serious questions about conservation efforts and forest management.

According to official figures, 37 elephants died unnaturally in 2022–23, followed by 23 in 2023–24, and 40 in 2024–25.

These deaths have sparked widespread concern among environmentalists and policymakers, especially after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently announced plans to introduce a dedicated elephant protection policy. The government also intends to take steps to prevent human-elephant conflict and promote afforestation alongside increased paddy cultivation.

Adding to the concern, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Kirti Vardhan Singh, revealed in Parliament that Odisha recorded one unnatural tiger death in the past three years. While the cause of death remains unknown, the loss of even a single tiger has raised red flags about the vulnerability of big cats in the region.

Reports of poaching in various forest divisions have surfaced in recent months, with some hunters being apprehended. However, the lack of clarity around the tiger’s death has led to criticism of the forest department’s vigilance and accountability.

The rising toll of elephant deaths and the tiger fatality underscore the urgent need for a robust and transparent wildlife conservation strategy in Odisha.

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