328 people killed by elephants in Orissa in 7 years

Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) In all 328 people were trampled to death by elephants in Orissa while 90 elephants were killed by human beings during the last seven years in Orissa.

Replying to a question of Ulaka Ram Chandra (Congress) and Atanu Sabyasachi (BJD) in the State Assembly, Chief Minister Patnaik said a maximum 64 people were killed by elephants in 2004-05 followed by 59 in 2001-2002.

The year wise break up was 2000-01 (39), 2001-02 (59), 2002-03 (43), 2003-04 (37), 2004-05 (64), 2005-06 (42) and 2006-07 (44).

The Chief Minister said during the period also as many as 90 elephants were killed and offence cases had been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 against 171 people.

However, none of these cases has been finalised.

Mr Patnaik said a maximum 19 elephants were killed during 2002-03 followed by 16 in 2006-07.

While 11 pachyderms were shot dead during 2000-01, ten each elephants were eliminated in 2001-02 and 2003-04.

During 2004-05 as many as 15 elephants were killed.

The casualty, however, reduced to nine in the subsequent year but again increased to 16 during the year.

Mr Patnaik said the government had so far paid Rs 1,75,44,500 as compensation grant to the local heirs of the persons killed by the elephants during the last seven years.

In 2006-07, the government, he said had paid Rs 69.37 lakh as compensation.

UNI