Bhubaneswar: The forest department has launched an inquiry into the deaths of three women in an elephant attack in Dhenkanal district on Tuesday, forest, environment and climate change minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said on Wednesday.“The PCCF (wildlife) has been asked to enquire into the matter,” the minister said.He added that while the govt is taking all possible measures to reduce such incidents, people must exercise greater caution and avoid venturing close to elephants. “Many such cases occur due to lack of awareness. People need to be more responsive and avoid going near the animals,” he said.The minister noted that forests in Dhenkanal and Angul districts together host more than 700 elephants, making human-elephant interactions frequent. “Public awareness and safer behaviour were essential to reduce risk,” he said, adding the govt has been making consistent efforts in this direction.Singkhuntia also cited past instances where people approached elephants to take selfies, resulting in tragic outcomes. “People should refrain from going near wild animals under any circumstances,” he cautioned.The minister said Odisha has more than 2,300 elephants. “To accommodate them, there is a need to increase their habitations. The govt has been working in that direction as well,” he said.
