Bhubaneswar: As many as 400 wild animals die every year in the state due to poaching and deliberate poisoning among many factors.
The forest and environment minister Bikram KeshariArukh on Tuesday told the Assembly that 1,258 animals, including 200 elephants, and birds have died since 2013.
The minister was responding to a question of deputy leader of opposition, ChiranjibBiswal, who wanted to know how much was spent for the protection of elephants, and how many animals have died in the past three years. Arukh's statement revealed that the government spent nearly Rs 42 crore for protection of the pachyderms in last three years.
"We are preventing elephants from entering human habitation by erecting solar fence, digging trenches and constructing boundary walls. We have deployed elephant trackers to monitor the movement of the elephants. To check poaching, we have formed anti-poaching squads and anti-smuggling squads. We are also providing villagers with information regarding movement of the elephants in advance for their safety. From financial year 2012-13, we have implemented a five-year programme to maintain the 14 existing elephant corridors in the state," the minister told the House.
Official sources said the deaths of wild animals, birds and elephants have been mostly reported from wildlife sanctuaries, including one marine sanctuary and a bird sanctuary in Nalabana in Chilika. Some stray incidents of animal deaths have also been reported from various forests.
The minister revealed that 262 animals were killed due to poaching while 99 died of poisoning. Elephants, barking deer, spotted deer and wild boar mostly fall prey to poachers. Around 106 birds have been killed due to poaching and poisoning.
Other causes of animal deaths have attributed to electrocution, train and road accidents. Around 90 animals have died due to diseases.
Wildlife campaigner BiswajitMohanty said incidents of animal killing are avoidable. "For the last seven years, ever since electrocution of pachyderms has started to rise, we have been urging the wildlife department to take measures to stop electrocution. But, they have failed to take any measure. The forest department makes tall claims of coordinating with the energy department to raise the height of electric poles to prevent sagging of wires. But in reality nothing has been done," alleged Mohanty.
