The Burning Question of the Day: How to Save the Jumbos

Guwahati: This is really very shocking and is worth giving a thought while revealing this data that between August to October 2018, more than a dozen of elephants have died due to electrocution. Such incidents of elephants dying of electrocution are mostly seen in the eastern and northeastern part of India, including seven in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district.

At a time when there are instances of human-elephant conflict has already been creating an issue for the policymakers and conservationists; now the added tension of elephants dying of electrocution is forcing the government to take the matter even seriously. Such instances of the elephants losing its life due to several reasons are appearing as a major threat to India’s elephant population.

Reports say, every year on an average, about 50 elephants died due to electrocution. A total number of 461 elephants died due to electrocution between 2009 and November 2017. The data reveals that 90 elephants died of electrocution in Odisha, 70 died in Assam; 48 in West Bengal; and 23 in Chhattisgarh. Keeping this data of elephant deaths due to electrocution in mind, the governments and the respective forest departments too should be careful enough in making sure that no such hurdles or death traps are lying on the elephant corridors. This is very well known to all that elephant uses its very own corridor and likes to commute through the same path always. In that case, this should be very clear to the respective government to ensure at least a safe passage for the wild jumbos so that they can enjoy safe travels.

Karnataka too shows a high rate of casualties in elephants, but as the state has the highest population of elephants, it can very well be understood.

In order to ensure a safe passage for the elephants, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) along with the MOEFCC’s Project Elephant, had published a publication on the right of passage in 101 elephant corridors of the country in 2017. The publication included the major need for greater surveillance and protection of elephant corridors.

Upasana Ganguly, Assistant Manager, Wild Lands Division, WTI, said, “There needs to be greater coordination between the Forest Department and different agencies, including the Power Department, as well as continuous monitoring of electrical wires passing through areas of elephant movement.”

The major need and importance of maintaining safe elephant corridors for sustaining the elephant population in the country have very well been mentioned by the environmentalist. with such environmentalist, it is high time that the government too realise the major issue and take appropriate actions.

Also read: Seven Wild Jumbos Die of Electrocution in Odisha