Post News Network
Keonjhar, Oct 3: The electrocution of a female elephant at Saradiapanka village under Champua forest range Thursday has raised a question on the safety and security of the animals.
The animals, on the other hand, are wreaking havoc in several areas in this district. To make matters worse, handicapped by a severe staff shortage, the forest
department struggles to alleviate the chaotic situation.
With the latest casualty, the range has reported three elephant deaths till date, this year while seven persons have died in elephant attacks.
In Champua range about 97 elephants are carrying out their depredations. However, often the animals also face threat to their lives in the form of electrocution or attack from affected people.
According to the forest department, an elephant was killed with an excavator at Naupani village while its carcass was recovered a month later. Another jumbo was allegedly killed in the same area, but the forest department denied the allegation. Earlier, yet another elephant had died of electrocution at Gurudihi village.
In proportion to the growing mining activities and deforestation in the district, elephant menace is also on the rise. Loss of lives and properties by the marauding pachyderms has stoked a simmering anger among the locals in different areas, amid allegations that the government is not providing adequate compensation for the damage. Occasionally, forest officials have to face the wrath of local people.
On the other hand, shortage of manpower and vehicles has become the main problem for the forest officials to deal with situation. Sources said the rage has only 35 officials with only two vehicles against the requirement of at least 100 personnel and 10 vehicles.
Residents and forest officials in some areas have been spending sleepless nights to ward off elephants as the herds frequent the villages and farmlands. Poachers reportedly take advantage of the situation and kill elephants for tusks only to pass the buck on the residents.
Mining activities in Champua and Barbil ranges have caused habitat loss for elephants while this has also triggered fodder shortage for the animals. Environmentalists have pitched in for measures to stop mining activities to save elephants.
Champua ranger Srirampad Arabinda Mishra said the department has to control the situation with the minimal staff and resources while compensation is being paid to affected people.
However, more personnel and funds are necessary to keep the animals confined to forests, Mishra added.
