ROURKELA: Amid rising human casualties from elephant depredations in the Bonai Forest Division (BFD) of Sundargarh district, BFD authorities are implementing both traditional and technological measures to confine elephant herds within forest boundaries and monitor their movements.
Sources reveal that the mining-affected Koida range has become a hotspot for elephant depredations, causing significant loss of human lives and property damage. In response, BFD authorities have launched a pilot project to cultivate bamboo forests to provide a palatable food supply for elephants within the forests.
As part of this initiative, bamboo seed balls were sown on Sunday by community members under the guidance of former PCCF Dr Debabrata Swain in a frequently visited forest patch of the Koida range.
Bonai divisional forest officer (DFO) Lalit Patra stated that due to acute food shortages in their natural habitats, elephants are increasingly invading human habitations, often leading to violent encounters. “Salia bamboo, a staple food for elephants, will be grown using the low-cost seed ball sowing method. Over 2 lakh seed balls will be sown across two hotspot areas, covering more than 170 hectare. With proper care, these saplings are expected to mature into dense bamboo forests within three to four years, helping to keep elephants within forest boundaries,” he added.
Additionally, several months ago, drone surveillance technology was introduced in the Koida range, proving effective in tracking elephant movements, Patra informed. Equipped with thermal infrared (IR) imaging cameras, the drones facilitate comprehensive monitoring of elephants in challenging forested and hilly terrains. Patra said, “Thermal drones provide real-time data on elephant movements, reducing the need for human patrols. This advanced information helps manage the risk to human lives and property in conflict-prone areas. Following the successful deployment of thermal drones in the Koida range, plans are underway to extend similar surveillance technology to the remaining six forest ranges within the BFD limits.”
In the past year, approximately a dozen human lives have been lost to elephant attacks within the BFD limits, with the Koida range accounting for the majority of these fatalities. In contrast, human deaths in the Sundargarh and Rourkela forest divisions were significantly lower during the same period.