Odisha to Host World’s First Asian Elephant Survival Centre – News12 Odisha

Bhubaneswar : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated an International Workshop on Best Practices in Human-Elephant Coexistence in Bhubaneswar, stressing the need for global partnerships to ensure peaceful coexistence.

On the occasion, he announced the establishment of the world’s first “Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephant” at Godibari near Chandaka Wildlife Division, in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, Wildlife Trust of India, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The centre will act as a hub for research, policy, and community-based initiatives across South and Southeast Asia.

Highlighting Odisha’s cultural and ecological bond with elephants, the CM said the state has adopted a comprehensive approach to address conflicts caused by habitat loss. Measures include mapping elephant corridors, restoring degraded forests, empowering Gaja Saathi and Vana Surakshya Samitis, strengthening anti-poaching squads, and deploying GPS collars, drones, and AI cameras for tracking movement.

The workshop brought together conservationists, researchers, policymakers, and international experts. The CM also released a Coffee Table Book, bibliography, and brochures, along with a film on Odisha’s elephant conservation efforts.

The two-day workshop will feature technical sessions and global experience-sharing to build sustainable strategies for human-elephant coexistence.