Littered Liquor Bottles in Odisha Forests Emerging as Threat to Elephants
By Arun Kumar Das
Bhubaneswar, May 18: Rampant dumping of liquor bottles in forest areas of Odisha is emerging as a growing threat to elephants, according to wildlife observers and conservation groups.
Forest Patches Becoming Unsafe Drinking Spots
With the increasing presence of IMFL outlets in rural and remote regions, alcohol consumption near roadside forest patches has risen significantly over the past decade. Groups of young people are reportedly using secluded forest stretches as informal drinking spots, leaving behind broken glass bottles.
Elephant Habitats at Risk
Surveys by the Wildlife Society of Odisha have identified multiple hotspots of concern, including reserve forest areas in Dhenkanal, Angul, and Keonjhar divisions. These regions are also known elephant corridors where herds frequently move through human-dominated landscapes.
Injuries and Fatalities Reported
Broken glass poses a direct physical danger to elephants, which often step on discarded bottles. In one reported case in November 2025, a tusker in Dhenkanal suffered a severe foot injury after stepping on glass, later developing an infection that proved fatal.
Conservationists Demand Action
Wildlife experts and conservationists have urged authorities to conduct regular cleanup drives in forest-edge areas and install warning signage. They also recommend involving local forest protection groups to remove hazardous waste and impose fines on offenders.
