Elephants driven to the brink of extinction in Odisha, stare at an uncertain future (India)
Elephants driven to the brink of extinction in Odisha, stare at an
uncertain future (India)
Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra, Odisha TV
June 15, 2022
See link
https://odishatv.in/news/miscellaneous/elephants-driven-to-the-brink-of-extinction-in-odisha-stare-at-an-uncertain-future-178944
for photo.
With the recent recovery of another skeleton of a tusker at Badamba range
of Athagarh Forest Division and death of a jumbo which was undergoing
treatment at Narasinghpur forest, question mark has been raised over the
safety and security of the pachyderms’ population in Odisha.
The distressed elephants in the State face an uncertain and dangerous
future and are almost at the brink of extinction. Once the pride of Odisha,
elephants now see the State as a graveyard. As per the wildlife experts,
the nexus between the poachers and forest officials has turned the state
into a graveyard for elephants. The safety of our national heritage animal
in Odisha is in peril.
As per reports, skeletons of several elephants have been recovered from
Athagarh Forest Division since last few months. Poachers hunting down
elephants in the State are also rampant. At least six elephants have been
killed in Athagarh Forest Division since last February.
While one skeleton of an elephant was recovered in Narasinghpur forest in
February, another two skeletons were found in Chandragiri reserve forest in
June 2 and 3 respectively.
One other elephant succumbed to its illness in Athagarh Forest Division
last month. Another gritty tusker with six bullet holes breathed his last
while undergoing treatment at Narasinghapur forest yesterday. However, OUAT
experts who were engaged in the treatment of the jumbo are of the opinion
that the elephant died due to delay in treatment.
Meanwhile, as per the wildlife experts, the population of the elephants is
on the wane due to poor patrolling and lack of stern action against the
erring forest officials.
“All possible treatment was provided to the tusker struggling with six
bullet holes. Had it been detected and treated earlier, the life of the
wild animal would have been saved,” rued OUAT expert Doctor Niranjan Sahu.
“In absence of patrolling arrangement by the Forest Department, poaching
and ailing animals are not detected timely. Besides, stern actions should
be taken against the poachers and erring officials to keep the hunting of
elephant at bay,” said wildlife expert Biswajit Mohanty.
Elephant deaths are being reported not only from Athgarh but also from all
parts of the States. While some of the elephants are killed after getting
hit by speeding trains, some others are getting electrocuted to death in
different parts of the State.
In 2021-22, Odisha lost as many as 74 elephants due to different reasons.
Making things worse, at least 12 elephants died in the State only in the
last two and half months. In an average, 33 elephants died during
1990-2000. However, the numbers almost doubled to 64 in 2001-2010. Things
became worse thereafter as at least 946 elephants died from 2010-2022.
Expressing deep concern over the surge in the death of elephants in the
State, wildlife experts are of the opinion that the killing spree of the
elephants is not possible without the knowledge of Forest Department
officials.
“Recovery of skeletons suggests that the elephants have been killed by
hunters. However, it is not possible without the knowledge of the Forest
Department officials. There seems to be a nexus between the hunters and
forest officials,” said elephant expert Lala A K Singh.
Though the government is spending crores of rupees for the safety of
elephants, unabated poaching activities across the State has threatened the
sustainability and health of the elephant population.
Meanwhile, taking cognisance of the death of a wounded tusker who was shot
by poachers in Athagarh forest, Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav
sought strict action against the poachers.
“Elephant is our heritage animal and has been given the highest protection
under WLP Act. The Ministry has taken cognisance of the incident and the
matter has been taken up with the state government for strict action
against the poachers to ensure protection of our wildlife heritage,”
tweeted Yadav.