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Workshop on “Challenges of Elephant Conservation in Changing Circumstances” organized
Save Elephant Foundation to continue its ongoing efforts for the protection and conservation of elephants
: Minister ShriSingkhuntia
Bhubaneswar, 12/12/ 2024 ( Odisha Samachar / Rajat Mohapatra )-Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Shri Ganesh Ram Sing Khuntia has called upon the Save Elephant Foundation to continue its ongoing efforts for the protection and conservation of elephants.
Minister Shri Singkhuntia attended the workshop titled “Elephant Conservation in Changing Circumstances” organized at Jayadeva Bhavan today to celebrate the Foundation Day of Save Elephant Foundation. He said that the Save Elephant Foundation Trust was established to provide assistance to the Forest Department for the protection, safety and conservation of elephants. Wildlife, especially elephants and humans, have been living peacefully for a long time. In the past, elephant herds used to come to the forest areas during harvest season, eat the grain and then go back to the forest. But today the situation has changed. 
Due to the growing needs of the increasing population, the demand for forest resources, including wildlife habitat, has increased alarmingly. As a result, there has been intense competition between humans and wildlife for food, water and habitat. This has gradually turned into elephant-human conflict and is becoming a threat. The dense population of elephants is encroaching on the public areas. Due to brutal resistance of people, human-elephant conflict and related losses are increasing day by day, and both humans and elephants are dying in large numbers.
During the last 12 years, more than 1,000 elephants have died in the state and elephants have taken the lives of more than 1,500 people. Damage to crops and houses has also increased manifold. People facing this problem are developing a hostile attitude towards elephants. As a result, the conservation of elephants is in danger. The bitterness that has arisen in the previously peaceful, natural and balanced coexistence is turning towards a miserable, unpleasant and unbearable situation, which is alarming for all of us. From the common man to the government, everyone is worried and concerned. Elephants are essential for the conservation of forests and biodiversity. Therefore, the protection and conservation of elephants is a matter of serious concern for the state. In the current situation, the united efforts of Save Elephant Foundation, field forest officials and local people for protection of elephants and public wealth are commendable. Minister Shri SingKhuntia expressed that organizing a state-level workshop every year to assess the status and solution of the elephant problem is also praiseworthy.
A documentary film was screened by Save Elephant Foundation. Managing Trustee Jitshatru Mohanty gave a brief overview of the film.
Chief Guest, Minister Shri SingKhuntia, honoured and felicitated Dr. Manoj V. Nair, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of Nandankanan, for his outstanding contribution in reducing human-elephant conflict and Lalit Kumar Patra, DFO, Bonai Forest Division, for his commendable role in maintaining ecological balance and increasing elephant food with the Save Elephant Foundation Trust Award-2024. Late Prashant Pal, Range Officer, Narla, Kalahandi, who sacrificed his life to save the public from elephant last year, was presented with a posthumous award along with a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 and his wife received the award from Forest Minister. Range Officer,Angul Forest Division Subhra Suchismita Mohapatra, Forester, Athgarh Forest Division Krishnachandra Swain, Forest Guard of Rairangpur Forest Division Subhasmita Giri, Forest Guard, Bonai Forest Division Sasmita Mahakul, Gaj Sathi working in Rayagada Forest Division Daud Shabar, hati Sathi, Baripada Division Himanshu Mahanat were honoured with the Save Elephant Foundation Trust Award-2024 by Minister Shri SingKhuntia.
As Guest of honour, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force Shri Devidutt Biswal said that human-elephant conflict has been occurring for a long time due to multiple reasons. Although the government is taking many steps, a coordinated and concerted effort is needed to involve the local people in the real sense. Shri Biswal expressed that the unwavering cooperation and participation of the local people is essential.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shri Prem Kumar Jha said that the contribution of Save Elephant Foundation in reducing human-elephant conflict is really commendable.
Dr. Debrabrat Swain, founder of Save Elephant Foundation and former member of Odisha Lokayukta, delivered the welcome address and said that Save Elephant Foundation has been playing a vital role in the sphere of elephant conservation and prevention of human-elephant conflict for the past 12 years. Managing Trustee Dr.Prakash Chandra Jena proposed the vote of thanks. Later, a technical session was held..
