The long-standing man-animal conflict has led to the death of 256 elephants and 187 people in the last five years.

During 2002-03, as many as 16 elephants were killed by poachers, 14 met an unnatural end and 10 died natural death. In the same period, 66 people had to lose their lives due to the conflict between man and the mammals. Similarly in the year 2003-04, nine poaching cases were registered, 19 animals died unnatural deaths and 19 met natural ends. In the same period, 32 people were killed by elephants.

In the following year, 15 elephants were killed by poachers, 23 faced unnatural death and 21 died a natural death. In 2005-06, 28 elephants died unnatural deaths and 22 met a natural end. Around 40 people were killed by these mammals during this period. Last year, while 22 elephants died due to natural causes, 28 met an unnatural end. In the same period, 49 people were killed.

According to a written statement made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the last Winter Session of the State Assembly, at least 26 elephants have been killed by poachers and angry villagers in the State since 2005. Nine elephants were killed during 2005-06, while 16 were shot down in 2006-07. According to the Chief Minster's statement, only one elephant has been killed this year. Patnaik had expressed the need for taking necessary steps to provide safety to the pachyderms.

"An anti-poaching squad, comprising of Forest Department staff and daily wage staff, has been formed and deployed to take up regular patrolling. Besides, elephant trackers are engaged for continuous monitoring of the animals and the tracking of the poachers.

Water bodies have been created in the forest areas to provide sufficient water during summer to prevent the jumbos from leaving the forest area," Patnaik told the House. He had also stated that in case of human death or damage to property by elephants, compassionate payments would be made as soon as possible to prevent revenge killing. "The investigations of poaching cases are conducted as soon as possible and poachers are taken to task. Intelligence gathering about poaching has been strengthened and the help of Crime Branch is also being taken to keep a vigil on poachers," Patnaik added. The human killing by elephant has, however, remained almost constant.

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