While more than 250 elephants have died due to various reasons in 24 forest divisions of the State, reportedly, the elephant herds have trampled over 270 human beings to death in last five years.

Curiously, despite heavy human causalities and loss of properties, 65 victim families, including seven families in Dhenkanal, have not received their compensation yet.

In the growing incidents of man-animal face-off, 33 persons and 11 tuskers were killed in Sundargarh forest division. The loss of human lives due to elephant trampling was limited to two at Paralakhemundi, three in Ghumusar south, three in Athamallick, four in Nayagarh, two in Rairangpur, two in Kalahandi south, one in Cuttack, four in Jeyprore, three in Balangir and two in Ghumusar north forest divisions. Simultaneously, the number of elephants killed due to various reasons stood at Paralakhemundi (1), Ghumusar South(3), Athamallick(6), Nayagarh(5), Rairangpur(2), Kalahandi South(3), Cuttack(2), and in Ghumusar North forest division(3).

Interestingly, in Sambalpur south forest division, seven persons and three elephants, in Rayagada forest division seven persons and one elephant, in Karanjia forest division eight persons and 13 elephants, in Keonjhar seven villagers, one elephant, in Bamara 11 persons, nine elephants and in Chandaka five persons and 14 elephants were killed.

Significantly, no human causality took place due to elephant trampling in Koraput, Similipal, Boudh, Kalahandi North and Mahanadi Wild Life Sanctuary

Besides, source claims that 46 elephants died due to electrocution, eight due to consuming poison, six due to poaching, one in tiger attack, two in sunstroke and three in fights among each other. Many were also killed in accidents, diseases and due to old age.

However, 25 victim families in Redhakhol forest division were deprived of compensation due to lack of eligibility.