Bhubaneswar: At least 668 individuals lost their lives in elephant attacks in the state in the last three years, while 22 were killed in crocodile attacks in the Bramhani, Baitarani and Kharasrota rivers in Kendrapada district alone in the past two years, forest, environment and climate change minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia told the assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to questions raised by different MLAs, Singkhuntia also stated in the written reply that 509 individuals were injured in the jumbo attacks. Besides, 139 domestic animals also lost their lives, and 10,259 houses were destroyed in elephant attacks in the state.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Sanatan Mahakud, the minister said that the population of elephants in the state is 2,098. As many as 779 elephants are found in Angul division, 431 in Baripada, 177 in Berhampur, 70 in Bhawanipatna, 140 in city division, 33 in Koraput, 311 in Rourkela and 157 in Sambalpur.
To another question raised by BJD legislator Tusharkanti Behera, the minister replied that at least 40 elephants died, along with five leopards and 200 other wild animals in the period from from July 1 to Nov 20.
Singkhuntia said that departmental investigations are going on into the deaths of elephants and leopards. "So far, 26 people were arrested in connection with the elephant deaths," he added.
He also said that two forest guards and a forester were suspended for negligence in duty. In the leopard death cases, 14 people were arrested, the minister said.
"To prevent the deaths of elephants and leopards, measures such as ensuring the safety and prosperity of their habitats, planting food-bearing trees, developing grazing areas, creating artificial water bodies, protecting against forest fires, deploying squads to monitor poacher activities and raising public awareness, have been implemented," he replied.