Odisha Rolls Out First High-Tech Elephant Transport Truck ‘Airawat’

In a pioneering step towards wildlife protection and management, Odisha has rolled out its first high-tech elephant transport truck, named ‘Airawat’. The state-of-the-art vehicle has been specially designed to ensure the safe, secure, and stress-free transportation of elephants across forest divisions.The truck, equipped with a hydraulic lift, enables elephants to walk in and out comfortably without the risk of injury, while the installed CCTV cameras allow continuous monitoring of their movement during transit.

The vehicle has been handed over to the Angul Forest Division, which has reported frequent elephant movement and rescue operations in recent years.Forest officials said ‘Airawat’ will be a game-changer in handling situations where elephants need to be relocated for treatment, rescue, or human-elephant conflict mitigation.

“This is a crucial step in modernizing our wildlife management system. The truck is designed to reduce stress on elephants and ensure their safety during transfers,” said a senior official of the Forest Department.

Odisha, home to one of the largest populations of wild elephants in India, often faces challenges in balancing conservation with rising human-elephant conflict. The introduction of this advanced transport system is expected to aid forest personnel in responding swiftly and efficiently to such situations, while also ensuring humane treatment of the animals.

Wildlife activists have welcomed the initiative, terming it a progressive move that reflects Odisha’s growing commitment to animal welfare and scientific conservation practices.With ‘Airawat’ now in service, the Forest Department is exploring the possibility of adding more such vehicles in other elephant-prone regions of the state in the coming months.