The latest elephant census conducted by the State Forest and Environment Department said in its report that Odisha witnessed a rise of only 24 elephants against death of 231 elephants within three years.Talking to mediapersons on Monday, Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said number of elephants in Odisha, which was 1930 in the last census held in 2012, has now gone up to 1954. He also informed about the death of 231 elephants in three years.
Arukh said the elephant census this year was conducted in 44 forest divisions in which 1869 census units comprising 5607 field staff were engaged. A total of 1048 manchas (wooden shafts erected atop trees) were made to monitor the movements of the elephants, he added.The Minister said several NGOs, wildlife lovers and the media had participated in the census which was successfully conducted.
