August 15th 2025.
The conflict between humans and elephants in Mayurbhanj district has been growing more severe, mainly due to a shortage of food in the forest and the threat of poaching. As a result, elephant herds are being forced to enter villages and towns in search of sustenance.
Unfortunately, these encounters often result in casualties on both sides. Frustrated by the constant threat, some locals have resorted to harmful methods such as poisoning and live electric wires, which only further endangers the already endangered Schedule-I species.
In response to this alarming situation, conservationists are urging for collaborative efforts to protect the elephants. To address this issue, the leading vernacular daily Dharitri, the English daily Orissa POST, and the Vikas Sathi organization have joined hands with the Vana Suraksha Samiti of Badadeuli village in Karanjia block. Together, they organized the second 'Hati Sabha' on Thursday to discuss potential solutions that involve the community.
The elephants, coming from neighboring Jharkhand, have been migrating through rural forest patches, passing through villages like Kerkera, Bhanra, and Sanadeuli before entering Keonjhar district. With no designated elephant corridor and rampant deforestation, their natural food sources like bamboo, Siali leaves, banana plants, and banyan trees are rapidly depleting, forcing them to venture into human settlements.
Moreover, the issue has been exacerbated by the presence of poachers, who have become increasingly active in the area. This has forced the elephants to avoid deep forests and instead travel through village roads, putting them at risk of further conflict.
It has been observed that the scent of locally brewed mahuli liquor and handia draws the elephants towards homes, causing them to break in and search for food. This has resulted in some aggressive behavior, but Dr. Biswajit Panda, the founder secretary of Vikas Sathi, urges villagers to show compassion. He stresses that elephants only seek food and pose no threat if left undisturbed.
Dr. Panda warns that if the situation continues to be neglected, it could lead to the harm of biodiversity and further environmental degradation. Representatives from the Odisha Forest Sector Development Project, Rajendra Behera and Akshaya Mohanta, also emphasize the need to restore elephant food sources in forests and promote alternative livelihood opportunities in fringe villages. They believe that providing people with alternative sources of income would reduce their dependence on harmful practices and support conservation efforts.
During the meeting, local forest official Pradeep Mohanta addressed the challenges faced by villagers in terms of livelihood and introduced upcoming initiatives. The Vikas Sathi organization also announced a pilot project that will offer free tailoring training for women and encourage honey cultivation through the installation of beehive boxes, which can supplement household incomes.
Purnami Naik, a member of the Village Forest Council, suggested installing streetlights and high-beam torches to monitor elephant movement and enhance safety. Meanwhile, the president of the VFC, Golak Bihari Rout, proposed incentivizing agriculture near the forest's edge to replenish the elephant's food supply and reduce conflict. He believes that with the provision of alternative livelihoods, humans can coexist with elephants in harmony.
Echoing this sentiment, another VFC member, Sukanta Lohar, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of both humans and elephants. He believes that preserving the forest will ultimately benefit everyone.
The program was successfully coordinated by Tushar Behera, Arabinda Singh, Manas Panda, Shubhasmita Panda, Chiranmayee Dixit, and Baishnavi Kar.
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