Odisha’s Strategy to mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict

The Forest Department of the Odisha recently submitted a Ten Pillar Strategy to mitigate Man-Elephant conflict in the state. There are more than 2000 elephants in the state of Odisha spread across the Bhitarkanika National Park, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Debrigarh Sancturay, and Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Today elephants are facing serious threats due to poaching, poisoning, electrocution, and road and train kill. Seldom have they indulged in human conflict due to loss of habitat. To bring in a solution and put an end to the human-elephant conflict, the Odisha Government has brought in a ten-point strategy.

Strategy

• Zone-based approach to be adopted
• Three separate strategies for the following:
  • Protection
  • Prosecution
  • Enforcement
• Strategy to improve elephant corridor
• Strategy to replenish elephant habitats
• People’s participation in spreading awareness
• Habitat management that will consider increasing the forest productivity
• Planting elephant food plants, bamboo plants
• Replenish water sources
• Solar fencing under Jana Surakya Gaja Rakhya Scheme
• Control and prevention of forest fire

What is Zone based Approach?

The approach was adopted from the state of Karnataka. Under the approach, the elephant habitats are to be divided into four broad zones. They are as follows:

• Zone 1: Elephant Conservation Zone
• Zone 2: Elephant-Human Coexistence Zone
• Zone 3: Conflict Mitigation Zone
• Zone 4: Elephant Removal Zone

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2023

Category: Environment Current Affairs