Bhubaneswar: Once renowned for its thriving elephant population, historically supplying war elephants to kings, including the Mughals, Odisha now witnesses mass pachyderm deaths due to electrocution, train collisions, and poaching.
A Deadly Trend
Over the past 15 years, Odisha has lost 1,191 elephants, including 316 to poaching and electrocution. Train and vehicle collisions claimed 52 lives, while 257 deaths were attributed to "unknown causes", suspected poaching cases concealed through delayed post-mortem examinations.
Odisha has gained the grim reputation of being India's elephant graveyard, recording 94 deaths in 2024-25 (as of March 18, 2025). Alarmingly, 31 of these fatalities resulted from electrocution, an entirely preventable cause. Compared to Karnataka, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, Odisha’s elephant mortality rate is disproportionately high, revealing severe lapses in protection efforts.
Cover-Ups & False Anthrax Claims
Since October 2012, at least 17 concealed elephant deaths—uncovered by the STF-CB and media—have been reported, particularly in the poaching hotspot of Athagarh Forest Division. The forest department has frequently blamed anthrax to deflect scrutiny. However, an RTI inquiry in 2020 by the Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI) found that only 2 out of 20 tested samples (2017-2019) confirmed anthrax, exposing a 90% false claim rate. Many cases classified as “natural” or “disease-related” were likely misreported.
2024-25: A Record Year For Electrocution Deaths
This year has seen the highest-ever electrocution deaths (31 so far), with Sambalpur (8), Khordha (4), and Angul (4) being the worst-hit districts. Of these, 15 elephants died due to electrified fences, 11 from live wire poaching, and 5 from sagging overhead lines—highlighting Tata Power’s negligence and weak forest department patrolling. Yet, no Tata Power official has faced prosecution.
15 Years Of Neglect
Despite a 2010 MoEFCC inquiry recommending preventive measures, Odisha has lost 213 elephants to electrocution since then. Over ₹700 crore was allocated to strengthen power lines, yet enforcement remains inadequate. In 2017, five elephants were electrocuted in Dhenkanal due to a sagging 11kV wire, the worst such case in India.
Dr. Biswajit Mohanty of the Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO) warns that elephants die almost weekly. He stresses the urgent need for accountability among senior officers responsible for elephant protection an issue ignored for 15 years despite repeated demands.
