Bhubaneswar, Dec. 1: Habitat degradation, triggered by intensified mining activity in and around forests, is taking a huge toll on Odisha’s wildlife.

Official statistics reveal that 756 wild animals, including 252 elephants, have been killed across the state in the past four years. The state has been able to do little to protect its precious wildlife resource in the face of a sustained onslaught by mining companies which have turned dense forests into scrubland in several areas.

Though human interference in the forests has put almost all wildlife species under intense pressure, the elephant seems to have borne the brunt of the damage caused by stepped up mining activity. Driven out of their natural habitat, elephants have been increasingly coming into conflict with human beings with both sides sustaining losses.

In the latest incident reported from Mayurbhanj district, a herd of wild elephants trampled to death a 70-year-old woman and her toddler granddaughter. The area has been witnessing frequent elephant raids.

Of the 252 elephants that have died in the past four years, 20 fell to poachers, 16 were poisoned and 48 were electrocuted by high-tension overhead wires. Police have registered 476 cases against 524 people in elephant-poaching cases during this period with seven cases being referred to the crime branch.

Big cats have also fallen prey to human poachers. At least three tigers and seven leopards have been killed in various parts of the state since 2009, when mining activity was at its peak.

Official sources said of the 58,135.47sqkm forest area in the state, at least 69.45sqkm have been diverted for activities such as mining, establishment of industries and construction of railway lines. At least 7,500.351 acres of reserve forests have been witnessing mining activities, most of these falling in the mineral-rich belt of Keonjhar, Sundergarh and Angul, where incidents of man-animal conflict have been particularly high.

Forest and environment minister Bijaysheree Routray said mining was allowed in forest areas only after the Centre gave its nod on the recommendation of the State Pollution Control Board. “Mine owners working without valid licence will be taken to task. Necessary instructions in this regard have been issued to the district collectors,” the minister said.

The Justice M.B. Shah Commission, which is inquiring into illegal mining in the state, has also expressed concern over mining taking place in forests, particularly at the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Routray said: “At Similipal, 2.6 hectres have been encroached upon by local people. We have filed cases against four persons. The Similipal Tiger Protection Force has been deployed to prevent the poaching of tigers.”