Bhubaneswar, April 26: The Odisha government is likely to send a proposal to the National Tiger Conservation Authority to constitute a tiger protection force.

The matter was discussed at a review of the tiger conservation scheme and elephant management plan here yesterday. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik presided over the meeting, at which the focus was mainly on sanctuaries such as Satkosia and Similipal where the tiger conservation scheme is being implemented.

The state government has also decided to formulate a plan in a bid to save the elephants from electrocution. The government will prepare a Rs 21-crore plan and submit it to the Centre for its approval.

Odisha has 1,930 elephants while according to a 2010 census, the tiger population was estimated at 32.

The chief minister emphasised the need for rehabilitation of people living in the core areas of Similipal and Satkosia sanctuaries even as state government takes a decision on sending a proposal to the tiger conservation authority to constitute a tiger conservation force for Satkosia.

Tigers and elephants are the two most important animals found in the forests of Odisha. While elephants are found in 28 of the state’s 30 districts, tigers have been seen in 20 districts. The state government has identified 14 corridors for the safe movement of elephants and steps have to been taken to ensure proper livelihood of people living in these areas under elephant management plan.

Man-elephant conflict has been a major area of concern for the government.

, with elephants, driven out of forests because of habitat erosion, making frequents raids on human habitations.

This not only results in casualties, but the government also has to dole out huge sums as compensation to the people.

Such raids have been taking place frequently in districts such as Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Elephant terror has also been witnessed on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar where the Chandaka wildlife sanctuary is located.

Though an elephant management plan has been going on in the state for past few years, it has failed to achieve any significant success. Sources said that the creation of new elephant corridors was not an easy task given the non-cooperation of people living in the concerned areas. “Most of these people are not interested in corridors which they think will make life difficult for them. Hence, they refuse to cooperate,” said an official requesting anonymity.

On the other hand, the government has singularly failed to check habitat erosion. “Apart from the timber mafia living near the forests have been destroying greenery, which means shrinkage of food stock for the elephants,” said a department official.