(IN): ‘Save elephants’ plea on Manmohan table- NGOs demand conviction of offenders

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071206/asp/northeast/story_8633083.asp

 

'Save elephants' plea on Manmohan table- NGOs demand conviction of offenders

 

A STAFF REPORTER

 

*Guwahati, Dec. 5:* A delegation of wildlife NGOs of the Northeast and the

World Wildlife Fund today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop the

killing of elephants in Assam and ensure conviction of people who

intentionally kill them.

 

Citing Assam's Sonitpur district as an example where the problem is at its

worst, members of the delegation requested Singh to generate political will

at the state level to protect the forests and wildlife in the state.

 

Singh also heads the National Board of Wildlife.

 

" The issue has been escalating over the years and has reached such alarming

proportions now that we request your kind intervention from the highest

level of political leadership in this country. However, despite so many such

cases taking place across the state, the conviction of offenders is unheard

of. This presents a pathetic picture of concern for the conservation of this

national heritage, " a WWF official said, quoting from the appeal.

 

The Asian elephant is a Schedule I species, protected under the Indian

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In 2006, 17 elephants died in Sonitpur

district.

 

Till November 29 this year, 13 elephants have died because of different

reasons.

 

" The scenario is not much different in other areas of Assam as well, " the

official said.

 

The appeal stated that human-elephant conflict is a result of the continuous

exploitation of natural resources, primarily forests, apart from stone,

sand, silt as well as minor forest produce. " Loss of forest cover in

elephant ranges and the rise in human-elephant conflict can easily be

logically correlated, " it added.

 

In 1993, the total number of elephants in Assam was 5,524 and 5,312 in 1997.

The number dwindled to 5,246 in 2002.

 

" While we, the civil society organisations, are working to mitigate

human-elephant conflict across the state, we are pained to see the unabated

destruction of forests leading to escalating human-elephant conflict. Our

efforts are negated if the remaining forests are not protected. We realise

that reclaiming some lost elephant corridors is vital to ensure viable

elephant populations in the region and across international borders, " the

appeal stated.

 

 

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United against elephant polo

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