As many as 369 persons were killed and 207 injured in elephant attacks in the State in the last four years. Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed this in the Assembly stating that the deaths occurred between January 2015 and June 2019. On an average, 92 people have been killed each year.
The Minister was replying to a question by BJD member Mukesh Kumar Pal. The Forest Department has erected stone walls and solar-powered fences in several sensitive places to deter the jumbos from coming into human habitations, he said.
He also said that a number of steps, including development of habitations and digging of water bodies and plantation for fodder for safe habitation of the elephants have been undertaken.
Besides, several squads have been engaged to track the movement of the wild elephants and keep them away from the human habitations. The department has also brought a special vehicle called ‘Gaja’, which is used in driving away the elephant herds from villages to save human lives.