Bullet-riddled carcass of elephant found in Bokajan

Bokajan: A bullet-riddled carcass of an adult male elephant was found in the Horumanthi area under Bokajan East Forest Division in the wee hours of Monday. Both tusks were missing from the carcass at the time of recovery. Preliminary investigations conducted by the forest department officials suggest two bullet injuries in the carcass of the elephant. However, it was not made clear whether the elephant was a victim of poaching or was shot in retaliation with conflict with humans. Moreover, the fact that the tusks can be removed after the injured elephant died cannot be ruled out.

Horumanthi and the adjoining areas of Phulbari, Gharialdubi and Khatkhati happens to be a part of a migratory route of an elephant herd and conflict with humans have risen in recent years. Sleep withers as the harvesting season approaches and farmers and villagers who work tirelessly throughout the day are forced to guard their fields and houses by night.

The role of forest department officials in the man-animal conflict is also quite objectionable. Residents claim the lack of apathy and work culture among the department officials in containing the much hyped man-elephant conflict in the area. Forest officials cite a severe shortage of manpower and logistics to combat the rising cases of man-animal conflict. “We have only one rifle to guard an area spread across a 24.79 sq. km of forest cover and that too is lying useless without ammunition. We sling it over the shoulder just to scare the firewood vendors otherwise it is of no use,” said an officer on conditions of anonymity.

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