Following the All Odisha Elephant Census 2024 by the state’s Forest Department, it was discovered that as many as 239 pachyderms inhabited the Dhenkanal forest division, the highest number of jumbos in a division in 2024. Of the elephants, 57 are adult tuskers, and around 74 are mature female elephants. The elephant population is thickly concentrated in the Hindol, Kapilash and Dhenkanal Sadar ranges.
DFO Sumit Kar stated, “Besides, dense forests, healthy habitats and availability of adequate water bodies across the division contribute to the rising elephant population in Dhenkanal. The jumbos are mostly attracted to the area owing to the presence of palm and mango trees and cashew plantations. Keeping in mind the frequent man-elephant conflicts in this division, the Forest Department has initiated several measures to mitigate the issue. Elaborate arrangements are being made to accommodate the growing number of jumbos safely.”
Since Dhenkanal lies in the proximity of Keonjhar, Cuttack, Athagarh, Satkosia and Angul forest divisions, these elephants traverse these areas throughout the year, particularly when crops are being harvested.
