The irony is that all three are units of the Forest Department and kept dragging the matter unnecessarily by pointing out each other’s limits on the death of a voiceless animal. Whereas this incident took place just 30 meters from the eco-sensitive area of the Tiger Reserve and the border of Mungeli Forest Division. Ultimately Bilaspur Forest Division had to take action in the matter.
In this incident, there was a lot of friction between the officers regarding the border area. Achanakmar Tiger Reserve management said that this is not their area. The same reply also came from Mungeli Forest Division. Later, Bilaspur tries to withdraw from the action by saying that there is no border area in the forest division.
Question raised on security of forest department
In this case, questions have been raised on the security arrangements of all three units of the Forest Department. The baby elephant died of electrocution three to four days ago and its dead body was lying there. But, no one was even aware of it. This clearly shows that the field staff or officers of the department are merely sitting in the chamber and monitoring the forest. In reality do not go inside the forest.
Second incident of elephant death in a year
This is the second incident of elephant death in a year. Last year, in Bijrakchhar under Khudia range of Mungeli forest division, an elephant had died due to electrocution. At that time too there were elephants in the group and one got separated. It is clear from the continuous occurrence of such incidents that hunters are active inside the forest and in the adjacent villages and are killing wild animals by laying electrocution traps.
Used to do farming by occupying revenue land
The villager arrested by the Forest Department in this case was doing farming by occupying the revenue land adjacent to his farm. He has installed a motor pump on his farm. It is suspected that the live wire might have been pulled from here. However, after the incident both the wire and the pegs were removed. Due to the inaction of the department, the accused father and son got enough time to remove the live wires and other items.
A group of five elephants was roaming in ATR
This is the same elephant, which was roaming inside the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve for a year. The Tiger Reserve management knows this and they are also said to be keeping a constant vigil. Deputy Director Ganesh UR says that our team was continuously keeping an eye on the elephants. On October 30, the elephant team went to the Forest Development Corporation area and returned to ATR the next day on October 31. On Friday, November 1, the monitoring team found one less among the five elephants. When the team members started searching for the five elephants, the dead elephant was seen. Whose information was given immediately.
