Elephants to face the wrath of officials in Assam

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Forest dept urged to allow mela sikar

By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 25 – In a move that could affect the status of wild

elephants in the State, the Forest Department has been asked to

consider the capture of elephants through mela sikar. Some

representatives of people affected by elephant depredation placed the

proposal before senior Forest Department officials today at a

discussion held in Kaziranga National Park, well-placed sources

stated.

 

It was reasoned that capturing elephants would help reduce the threat

of depredation in several areas of the State. Mela sikar,

incidentally, was allowed in the State till some years ago.

 

In the discussion that centred on elephant depredation in Asom, State

Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain, said that his

department was alive to the needs of people while being aware of the

need to conserve wildlife. The Forest Department would be willing to

go the extra mile to address the problem of man-elephant conflict, he

added.

 

Chief Wildlife Warden MC Malakar, who took part in the discussion

along with members of NGOs, affected communities, and elephant

experts told The Assam Tribune that the Forest Department was going

to chalk out an action plan to tackle elephant depredation very soon.

The plan would incorporate control rooms in areas of elephant

depredation, wireless communication systems and rapid response

groups.

 

Fences to protect cropland would be erected in some places where

depredation is on the rise. However, the Chief Wildlife Warden ruled

out putting fences on elephant corridors, which would impede their

natural migration routes. Funds for the action plan would be provided

under Project Elephant.