India, Feb. 13 -- Odisha has emerged as the deadliest state in India for human-elephant conflict, recording 171 deaths in 2024-25 - the highest in the country. The crisis hit a grim milestone on February 10, when a tusker trampled three women to death near the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhenkanal district while they were collecting firewood.

Despite having only a fraction of India's elephant population, Odisha's fatality rate is disproportionately high. While Karnataka, home to 6,013 elephants, recorded just one death per 100 elephants, Odisha - with 2,103 elephants - clocks 17 deaths per 100 elephants.

As of February 10 this year, 127 deaths have already been recorded in 2025-26 alone.

Officials said Odisha has logged 624 human ca...