(IN): Special funds fail to curb man-elephant conflict

[Guest guest]

Linkk: Special funds fail to curb man-elephant conflict

 

By Prabal Kr Das

GUWAHATI, June 11 – With human-elephant conflict emerging as a real

environmental issue in Assam, the State Forest Department has spent

substantial funds seeking to contain the damage done to both human beings

and elephants. In the year 2006-07 alone an amount of Rs 110 lakh was spent

under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Project Elephant.

 

Earlier in the period 2005-06 Rs 99.65 lakh was spent under the same

project. In the year preceding that Rs 110.50 lakh was spent by the Forest

Department. From 2002 to 2007 a total amount of around Rs 519 lakh was

expended under the project.

 

According to data acquired by *The Assam Tribune*, in the last financial the

Forest Department paid close to Rs 24 lakh as ex-gratia to the 47 people

killed that year. Setting up of voluntary squads and providing logistics

required Rs 13.74 lakh. An amount of Rs 8.5 lakh was spent on hiring of

kunkis (domestic elephants). Creation of plantation of fodder species

involved an investment of Rs 8 lakh.

 

According to the Forest Department, in the entire amount spent was a

revalidation amount of Rs 40 lakh for of purchase of arms and ammunition,

immunization of cattle, eco-development, publicity and awareness, mahut

training and refresher course for veterinary doctors.

 

Purchase of arms and ammunition required Rs 14.45 lakh, while Rs 12 lakh was

spent on eco-development. An amount of Rs 4 lakh was spent on organizing

refresher course for veterinary doctors and Rs 3.30 lakh expended on mahout

training.

 

Even though the funds spent thus far appear substantial, the outcome of the

spending does not appear encouraging either for the threat facing elephants

or human beings. In the period 2002-2007 the total number of people killed

by elephants stood at 261, with 80 people dead in 2005-06 alone.

 

The number of elephants killed across the State is also substantial with 51

of them dead during the same period.

 

Sources in conservation circles, however, believe that the amount spent

under Project Elephant should be increased if the degradation of elephant

habitat has to be stopped through eco-restoration steps. Moreover, funds

should also be available for maintenance of patrolling vehicles and

acquisition of communication gear, for which no money was spent during

2006-07. Significantly in the year 2006-07 no money was spent on veterinary

support.

 

Few others question the efficacy of some steps where money has been

expended. Creation of plantation of fodder species, is one such area that

according to them has served no purpose. Elephant depredations have not been

limited by these plantations in any way, they reason. They also favour

better monitoring of the funds used under Project Elephant if the effort is

to have tangible results.