Kendujhar: As people prepare to observe World Elephant Day Wednesday, elephants in the Kendujhar forest division are increasingly in need of protection and rehabilitation as their habitat continues to shrink.
Kendujhar district once had vast stretches of dense forest where elephants could move safely and fi nd sufficient food. They occasionally ventured into nearby farmland and villages but largely remained within their natural habitat. Elephants also moved freely between forests through traditional corridors.
Experts say that over the past 25 years, extensive mining, construction of roads, railway lines, establishment of industries, embankments, colonies and encroachments have reduced forest cover and fragmented elephant habitats. Large-scale afforestation efforts costing hundreds of crores of rupees have failed to fully compensate for the loss of natural forests, they said.
With food sources declining and traditional elephant corridors blocked, herds increasingly enter human settlements. They raid paddy fi elds, damage houses and sometimes consume traditional alcoholic drinks such as handia and mahuli, resulting in further confl ict. According to forest offi cials, 156 elephants were roaming in different ranges of the Kendujhar division as of Friday, including 41 males, 67 females and 48 calves.
Four people have died and several others have been injured in elephant attacks in the division over the past month. The Forest department has taken action against four people for allegedly harassing elephants and has warned residents against approaching the animals.
Compensation is being provided under government rules, but offi cials say repeated crop and property losses have led some residents to chase elephants away.
Environmentalist Bimbadhar Behera said protecting natural forests, studying elephant behaviour and restoring traditional corridors could help reduce human-elephant confl ict. Kendujhar DFO Dhanraj HD said various measures were being taken to protect both elephants and people and warned against harassing the animals.
