Karnataka High Court takes up suo motu PIL on electrocution of elephants
The Indian Express
June 16, 2024
See link
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-high-court-takes-up-suo-motu-pil-on-electrocution-of-elephants-9395463/
for photo.
The Karnataka High Court on Friday took cognisance of the electrocution of
elephants in the state in a suo motu PIL, stating that authorities have a
statutory duty to protect elephants and other wildlife of Karnataka.
A bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind took notice of
the matter upon noticing a media report regarding the death of the Dasara
elephant Ashwathama, observing that conservationists quoted in the report
had attributed the incident to the negligence of authorities.
The 38-year-old bull elephant died on Tuesday after being electrocuted by a
live wire attached to a solar fence near the Bhimanakatte elephant camp in
the vicinity of Nagarahole Reserve.
The bench observed that another elephant death via electrocution had taken
place in Chikkamagaluru district and another two in Madikeri. The bench
further took note of a statistic in the media reports that 35 elephants had
died of electrocution since January 2021.
The bench stated, “The successive and repeated incidents of the death of
elephants…..is a serious matter to worry. The report reflects that the
incidents take place for want of diligence on part of the authorities
concerned in-charge of ensuring safety measures for the elephants in
particular….”
The court registered the suo motu PIL and arraigned the Union, the state,
and senior officials of the Karnataka forest department as respondents. The
court then asked them to answer several queries, such as what steps are
currently being taken to protect elephants, what steps will be taken in the
future to prevent these unnatural deaths, and what statutory machinery the
authorities are using.
The court also raised questions regarding safety mechanisms for wildlife
inside and outside sanctuary and reserve areas, as well as the manner in
which liability was fixed on officers for these deaths.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-high-court-takes-up-suo-motu-pil-on-electrocution-of-elephants-9395463/
Karnataka High Court takes up suo motu PIL on electrocution of elephants
The Indian Express
June 16, 2024
See link
<https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-high-court-takes-up-suo-motu-pil-on-electrocution-of-elephants-9395463/>
for photo.
The Karnataka High Court on Friday took cognisance of the electrocution of
elephants in the state in a suo motu PIL, stating that authorities have a
statutory duty to protect elephants and other wildlife of Karnataka.
A bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind took notice of
the matter upon noticing a media report regarding the death of the Dasara
elephant Ashwathama, observing that conservationists quoted in the report
had attributed the incident to the negligence of authorities.
The 38-year-old bull elephant died on Tuesday after being electrocuted by a
live wire attached to a solar fence near the Bhimanakatte elephant camp in
the vicinity of Nagarahole Reserve.
The bench observed that another elephant death via electrocution had taken
place in Chikkamagaluru district and another two in Madikeri. The bench
further took note of a statistic in the media reports that 35 elephants had
died of electrocution since January 2021.
The bench stated, “The successive and repeated incidents of the death of
elephants…..is a serious matter to worry. The report reflects that the
incidents take place for want of diligence on part of the authorities
concerned in-charge of ensuring safety measures for the elephants in
particular….”
The court registered the suo motu PIL and arraigned the Union, the state,
and senior officials of the Karnataka forest department as respondents. The
court then asked them to answer several queries, such as what steps are
currently being taken to protect elephants, what steps will be taken in the
future to prevent these unnatural deaths, and what statutory machinery the
authorities are using.
The court also raised questions regarding safety mechanisms for wildlife
inside and outside sanctuary and reserve areas, as well as the manner in
which liability was fixed on officers for these deaths.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-high-court-takes-up-suo-motu-pil-on-electrocution-of-elephants-9395463/
