Inter-State Migration and Movement of Pachyderms from Dalma to Baripada Division, Odisha, India: A Case Study

¹Odisha Forest Department, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Mayurbhanja, Baripada, India

²Odisha Forest Department, Odisha, India

*Corresponding author: Sandeep Ranjan Mishra, Odisha Forest Department, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Mayurbhanja, Baripada, India, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: February 19, 2026

Published Date: April 16, 2026

Citation: Mishra SR, et al. (2026). Inter-State Migration and Movement of Pachyderms from Dalma to Baripada Division, Odisha, India: A Case Study. Mathews J Vet Sci. 10(2):106.

Copyrights: Mishra SR, et al. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Asian elephants of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary have been migrating to Odisha each year since 1987. The study of their migration ethology is showing that the biggest tusker leads the migratory herd as it remembers the migration route and each year they are extending their migratory path for utilizing the unexpected resource rich locations as as a part of their home range extension. We studied the behavioral patterns of this increasing population of migratory elephants from Dalma and tried to analyze the reasons behind this movement each year which causing serious Man-Elephant conflict in Baripada Division as they are rampaging the agricultural crops. Normally in Baripada division elephants of Jharkhand (Dalma Wildlife sanctuary) use to migrate through the corridor that extends from west Bengal-Deuli-Suliapada. From the year 2010, there is deviation noticed in their normal track, changing their route from Rasgovindpur (Baripada Forest Division)-Nilgiri of Balasore wild life Division through Morada-Chitrada (Rasgovindpur Range) to Asanbani-Jugal-Dalki of Betnoti Range. Dalma wildlife sanctuary is at a distance of 10km south of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand State, having an area of 193 Sqkm. It Carries around 158 elephant population (as per 2007 census), which is beyond the carrying capacity of that sanctuary. Since last sixteen years herd of more than 100 elephants enters to Baripada Division area through Deuli and Rasgovindpur Ranges. They use to migrate in Baripada Forest Division for at least 15 to 30 days through Deuli-Rasgovindpur-Betnoti ranges raiding standing paddy and other cash crops, damaging houses, injuring human beings during their onward journey to Nilagiri Range of Balasore wildlife Division. Migratory route and forest used by elephant in Baripada division are Phuljhari Forest, Dalki RF, Nadapur Forest, Dalki RF&Asanbani forest. The most vulnerable area in Baripada division are Sarai under Betnoti Range and Baladia under Rasgovindapur Range.

Keywords: Migratory Elephants, Dalma, Human-Elephant Conflicts, Baripada Divisions, Inter-State, Herd Composition.