Tata Power Celebrates World Elephant Day in Odisha by creating Community Awareness under its Gaja Sanrakshana initiative

Tata Power, under its flagship Gaja Sanrakshana initiative, celebrated World Elephant Day with school students and local communities in Odisha, reaffirming its commitment to fostering human-elephant coexistence in one of India’s most sensitive elephant habitats. Culminating a week-long awareness drive, the finale event at Bantala Nodal High School in Angul district drew enthusiastic participation from 1,031 students, parents, local residents, Sarpanch, Forest protection Committee members, and representatives of the TPCODL Electrical Division, Angul Forest Division, and Bantala Range Office.

In the run-up to the celebration, student engagement programs were held from August 6 to 8 across five schools in the Bantala Forest Range. A total of 1,031 students participated in the school events, and 210 took part in drawing and essay competitions on the theme “Human-Elephant Coexistence.” Thirty winners were felicitated at the main event, which featured guest addresses, cultural performances, a student quiz, and a collective oath pledging elephant protection.

Launched in April 2024 in collaboration with the Government of Odisha and wildlife NGO SNEHA, Gaja Sanrakshana targets high-conflict zones in Hindol Forest Range and Dhenkanal Sadar in Dhenkanal and Bantala Forest Range of Angul districts to reduce elephant mortality and protect their habitats. Guided by Odisha’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests – Wildlife & Chief Wildlife Warden, the program integrates infrastructure upgrades, technological innovation, and community outreach.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO & Chief – Sustainability & CSR, said, “At Tata Power, we believe that sustainable community development and biodiversity conservation must go hand in hand. Through the Gaja Sanrakshana initiative, we are working closely with the Government of Odisha, the Forest Department, and local communities to protect our national heritage animal while creating safer, more resilient habitats. This collaboration is not only helping reduce human-elephant conflict but is also fostering a culture of coexistence that supports both wildlife and livelihoods. Our commitment is to ensure that conservation efforts become a shared responsibility, rooted in community participation and guided by long-term sustainability.”

The initiative is supported by a 3,000-member WhatsApp alert network for real-time elephant movement updates, along with over 950 trained “Gaja Saathis,” village volunteers who act as first responders and wildlife advocates. Additionally, GPS mapping of high-risk zones has enabled targeted Patrols and an AI-powered early warning system—equipped with sirens, trap cameras, and a mobile app—provide advance alerts within a 10-kilometer radius.

Beyond safety measures, the project engages with farmers across 250 villages to promote alternative livelihoods, improve hygiene and sanitation practices, and reduce human-elephant encounters.

Building on early success, Tata Power aims to scale Gaja Sanrakshana as a model for elephant conservation across India, safeguarding biodiversity while fostering sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.