Odisha Inaugurates First Elephant Training Centre in Kalahandi
Odisha has taken a landmark step in wildlife conservation with the inauguration of its first Elephant Training Centre at Simelpadar in Kalahandi district.
Situated within the Karlapat elephant corridor, the centre was launched by Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia as part of the state government’s two‑year completion celebrations.
The facility aims to strengthen conservation efforts, reduce human‑elephant conflicts, and enhance the skills of frontline forest personnel.
Training programs will focus on understanding elephant behaviour, scientific wildlife management, and effective monitoring systems.
Alongside the centre, a Wildlife Monitoring Tower was also inaugurated to improve surveillance and track animal movement.
These initiatives are expected to provide crucial data for long‑term conservation planning.
Odisha, home to one of India’s largest elephant populations, has faced recurring challenges of crop damage, property loss, and human casualties due to elephant movement.
The new centre is designed to balance wildlife protection with community safety, marking a new chapter in the state’s conservation strategy.
