As many as 480 elephants have died since 2014 and, during this period, 446 persons were killed in jumbo attacks. Similarly, there were over a hundred of tigers in Odisha jungles before the year 2000 and now the number has reduced to 40.
Odisha Krushak Mahasangha (OKM) president and former MlA Bibhudhendra Pratap Das has informed this and lamented that the Satakoshia Sanctuary had 32 tigers and 26 cheetahs in the year 2004 and now the number of tigers in the sanctuary has reduced to a mere three.
Expressing deep concern over the depletion of wild animals, Das has urged the Government to take immediate measures for protection of these animals in the forests otherwise they will be disappeared for ever.
He suggested that a special court should be established for quick disposal of wild animal crimes cases so that poaching can be reduced. Informers of poachers should be given cash prize from `50,000 to `1,00, 000 and their names kept secret. A 24-hour anti-poaching squad should be put into service in all wildlife forest divisions, he suggested.
As forests absorb carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, Das suggested that tree cutting from forests should be stopped. So, use of valuable wooden materials in private buildings should be completely banned. Alumininum, PVC, and iron should be used as alternative material to wood for making door, window and furniture.
To create food sources for elephants, a bamboo plantation drive should be taken up in 2 lakh acre area every year through private agencies on tender basis. Similarly, massive ponds should be dug in forests to provide water to elephants.
Solar electrification fencing should be provided on both sides of railway lines for protecting elephants from railway accident. Forest personnel should be given police power with arms to counter forest mafias and poachers use powerful weapons. The forest mafias should be arrested under the NSA as suggested by the State Wildlife Board.
As elephants don’t use tusks for eating, the Government should cut tusks of male elephants from time to time so that poaching can be reduced, Das suggested and informed that Thailand Government cuts tusks regularly. Deep trenches should be dug to prevent elephants from entering villages.
The Government should provide `10 lakh compensation to family of each deceased killed by elephants.