In a significant step towards fostering safer coexistence between humans and wildlife, the Odisha government organised a high-level workshop on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts at the State Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan.
The event, held today, brought together key stakeholders to devise practical strategies amid rising encounters between local communities and animals like elephants.
Presiding over the workshop via video conference, Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia highlighted the need for a structured, roster-based system to engage community volunteers, particularly Gaja Sathis (elephant companions) and Bidyut Praharis (power guards). “Resolving these conflicts demands unwavering dedication through round-the-clock monitoring of wildlife movements,” the minister stated, underscoring the importance of continuous oversight to prevent incidents.
The session featured interactive discussions where Minister Singkhuntia directly addressed challenges shared by field volunteers, concerns from MLAs participating from various districts, and expert inputs from NGO representatives. This collaborative approach ensured that the strategies were practical and rooted in on-ground realities.
Shri Prem Kumar Jha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, provided valuable insights to the participants, setting the tone for the deliberations. Dr. Manoj V. Nair, Additional PCCF (Wildlife), followed with an in-depth presentation on the state’s human-wildlife conflict landscape. He revealed that a “comprehensive action plan” has been implemented, with periodic reviews yielding noticeable improvements, especially in human-elephant conflict zones.
The workshop served as a vital platform for protection squads, grassroots workers, and officials to refine Odisha’s response mechanisms. By prioritising community involvement and expert guidance, the initiative aims to safeguard both residents and the state’s rich biodiversity, reducing risks while promoting conservation.
This event marks a proactive effort by the Odisha government to address a pressing environmental challenge, with potential for scalable models in other regions facing similar issues.
