The death of 10 elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in 72 hours has raised questions on wildlife safety. PMO has sought a report from Madhya Pradesh government. The Chief Minister assured cooperation from Chhattisgarh for the management of elephants. The cause of death of the elephants is still under investigation.
The incident of death of 10 elephants in 72 hours in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has raised questions on wildlife protection efforts across the country. The Central Government has also taken cognizance of this. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has sought a report from the Madhya Pradesh government regarding the death of elephants. There is chaos since then.
Since the death of elephants is prima facie believed to be due to consumption of moldy crop of Kodo, but experts are not unanimous about this, as a result, the state government has not been able to reach any conclusion at present to send the report to the PMO. The experts’ findings on the post-mortem report of the elephants and the lab reports of the samples are awaited.
Madhya Pradesh government in action mode due to PMO’s intervention
However, after the intervention of the PMO, the Madhya Pradesh government came into action mode. Acting hurriedly on the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the government suspended the Field Director and ACF of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for negligence in the matter, but action has still not been taken against many senior officials, who are responsible for the safety of the elephants. Were responsible for.
Six special teams formed to monitor elephants, announcement being made in the village
APCCF Wildlife L. Krishnamurthy said that six special teams have been formed in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and are monitoring healthy elephants. The rescued elephant is being continuously monitored by wildlife doctors in Bagdara beat of Khitauli range.
Krishnamurthy said that announcements are being made in the villages adjacent to the elephant movement areas for human-elephant conflict and wildlife management. Also, to strengthen the management, 35 staff have been put on duty by Chief Conservator of Forest Shahdol in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Till Monday, the viscera and water samples of all the dead elephants have been sent to IBRI Jabalpur, SW FH Jabalpur and Forensic Science Laboratory Sagar. Samples of soil and crops eaten by elephants have also been taken, which have been sent to JNKVV Jabalpur for analysis.
The reasons for the death of the elephants will be known only after the detailed lab test report comes. As per the decision of the government, SIT and STSF teams are continuously investigating all possible aspects of the elephant death case.
Chief Minister said – Will manage elephants together with Chhag
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said on Monday that now both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will jointly manage elephants. For this, discussions will be held with the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh on exchanging information about elephants coming in large groups from Chhattisgarh and making an action plan regarding their management. Dr. Yadav said this on Monday while congratulating and wishing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and the people of the state on the occasion of Rajyotsav.
Elephants kept roaring all night, officials arrived late even after villagers informed them
Meanwhile, it has come to light that the local villagers in Bandhavgarh, after reaching the spot after hearing the trumpeting sounds of elephants, had informed the nearby forest post and higher officials, but even after hours, the officials did not reach the spot. After a long time, the forest staff arrived and informed the higher officials about the situation, only then the officials took care of the elephants.
At first the officials sitting at the forest headquarters remained negligent, but after the condition of the elephants worsened, they took action and left for Bandhavgarh. It is believed that if the elephants had received timely treatment, so many elephants would not have died.
The reason for the death of elephants will be known even after the investigation report comes. We are also waiting for him. Now an action plan for the management of elephants is being prepared.
-Aseem Srivastava, Forest Force Chief
