Bhubaneswar, Nov 26: Altogether 40 elephants, five leopards and 200 other wildlife species have died in Odisha between July 1 and November 20 this year.
Odisha Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed Odisha Assembly on Tuesday in a reply to a written question by BJD member Tushar Kanti Behera.
A departmental investigation is underway into the elephant and leopard deaths in the state. So far, 26 people have been arrested in connection with the elephant deaths, while 14 others have been arrested for leopard deaths, the Minister added.
Two forest guards and a forester have been suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with death of wild animals in the state, the Minister said.
The Forest Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to prevent the death of elephants and tigers in the state.
“Steps have been taken to protect and improve their habitats, plant trees useful as their food, develop grazing land, create artificial reservoirs, deploy squads to prevent forest fires and monitor the movements of poachers, and create public awareness,” the Minister informed the House.
