The Hindu : National : Injured elephant rescued near border

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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
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Injured elephant rescued near border

Raktima Bose

An elephant calf was electrocuted at the border fence
Fast disappearing forest cover in Nepal is causing in human-animal clash

KOLKATA: An elephant with rifle shots on its left hind leg was tracked down by wildlife officials on Tuesday near north Bengal’s border with Nepal, while an elephant calf died after coming in contact with the electrified border fence within the Nepal boundary.

The injured tusker was part of a herd that entered the region from Nepal through the Mechi river corridor. It was tranquillised and treated by the wildlife department. Forest officials are certain that it was shot “either by the security force or the farmers on the Nepal side.”

“The Ministry of Environment and Forests has taken up the matter with the Nepalese authorities through the Sashastra Seema Bal,” said S.S. Bisht, chief conservator of forest (wildlife). The divisional forest office at Jhapa in Nepal had been contacted for a detailed report. He said political agitation in the region slowed down the rescue process, as vehicle movement had become difficult. “Also, heavy rains in the region have dislocated the power fencing built to restrain animals from straying into Nepal.”

An elephant was killed in similar circumstances last year in Nepal and another, critically injured, died 15 days after it was rescued. There are an estimated 40 wild elephants in the region. Mr. Bisht said the Mechi corridor had been their route for natural movement across the border for centuries. “However, fast disappearing forest cover on the Nepalese side and increased human activity are resulting in human-animal clash.”

He said years of political turmoil had made the Nepalese authorities negligent in spreading awareness on animal conservation. “Also, farmers in Nepal do not get any compensation in the event of an elephant attack, as their Indian counterparts do.”

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