Concern over increasing tusker deaths

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Concern over increasing tusker deaths

* By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 7 – It used to be a prime habitat for one of the most

remarkable species of wildlife. But recently it has become their killing

fields. Within the span of a few months, several elephants have met their

end in just one part of the State – a few actually inside protected areas.

 

Forest officials are perturbed over the rising number of deaths.

Conservation groups are anxious that it could be the start of a fatal push

towards extinction for the already threatened elephants.

 

What is alarming is at least three of the dead animals bore bullet injuries,

and four were electrocuted. Even though many of the animals were attacked

and some killed, the incidents have not led to any person being convicted so

far.

 

Dr Bibhab Talukdar of the conservation group Aaranyak, said, " It is

absolutely shocking how a series of killings has taken place, at times

inside wildlife sanctuaries…they show how very vulnerable wild elephants

have become. "

 

He pointed out that in the last ten years elephants have been targeted in

various parts of Assam alone. The attacks have been frequent in an area not

far from Tezpur, and no strong action has been taken against the

perpetrators.

 

Among the causes cited for the growing wrath against elephants, the one

commonly mentioned is their forays into human settlements and destruction of

farm fields; on fewer occasions, elephants have killed or maimed humans.

 

People living close to wild habitat have reported elephant raids to the

forest officials frequently during autumn and winter.

 

But the common refrain of the forest personnel, they say is: " the department

is doing the best it can, " which for them is not enough.

 

When asked about the inability of the Forest Department to monitor and

protect elephant habitats like the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, officials

say there is a severe shortage of field-level staff, and even the existing

workforce is ageing. Funds, according to them are also hard to come by.

 

Their other major problem is conservation initiatives have failed to attract

the required political will from leaders keen on supporting encroachers who

are likely to vote them into office.

 

Recognising the attack on elephants as part of a larger picture, Dr Christy

Williams of WWF International's AREAS Programme asserted it was high time

that 'the real issue' was identified and solutions sought. " The need of the

hour is eco-restoration of the precious habitat, which is being degraded by

human interference. "

 

He favoured a well-planned process involving the illegal settlers, which

accommodated them in nucleated settlements, and engaged them

 

in an economic activity to rejuvenate the land. " Such a strategy has worked

in Chitwan in Nepal, and is quite likely to work in Assam too, " he added.

 

 

 

 

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