Arukh in a written reply to a question by BJP MLA Mukesh Mahaling in the State Assembly said, "Between 2016-17 and 2018-19, a total of 246 elephants had died due to accidents, electrocution, natural and other causes."
As per 2017 elephant census, Odisha has 1976 jumbos, including 330 at Simlipal forest division, 169 at Dhenkanal, 147 at Satakosia and 115 at Athagarh.
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The minister asserted that many steps has been taken up to protect elephants. Elephants reserves at Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Mahanadi have been set up to conserve their prime habitats and various management interventions has also been launched by the government.
"Besides this, the State government is taking steps to restore 14 elephant corridors, plant saplings for the consumption of elephants, construction of water bodies and the steps are also being taken to prvent elephants from train accidents and electrocution," said minister Arukh.