Elephant killings angers activists
A dozen elephants were found killed in Simlipal forest, India, during a recent census, shocking officials and underscoring the threat to animals from organised poaching gangs, reported Times of India (TOI).
Regional chief conservator of forests Ajit Bhartuar, admitted the deaths had taken place but did not agree with the number.
“We have confirmed reports of six deaths,” he said. The slaughter could have gone unnoticed had Sanjukta Basa, wildlife warden of Mayurbhanj district, not insisted on visiting the core area.
“We have so far got information about 12 deaths. The number could be more,” Bhanumitra Acharya, environment activist, who accompanied Basa, told TOI.
Foresters, he added, had tried to cover up the deaths. “The Pithabata Range officer refused to allow us to enter despite an official permission.They had tried to hush up evidence by trying to bury or burn the carcasses,” said Acharya.
According to TOI, a forest guard was suspended after the killings were reported. “The CBI should investigate,” Biswajit Mohanty of the Wildlife Society of Orissa has written to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2010.
Regional chief conservator of forests Ajit Bhartuar, admitted the deaths had taken place but did not agree with the number.
“We have confirmed reports of six deaths,” he said. The slaughter could have gone unnoticed had Sanjukta Basa, wildlife warden of Mayurbhanj district, not insisted on visiting the core area.
“We have so far got information about 12 deaths. The number could be more,” Bhanumitra Acharya, environment activist, who accompanied Basa, told TOI.
Foresters, he added, had tried to cover up the deaths. “The Pithabata Range officer refused to allow us to enter despite an official permission.They had tried to hush up evidence by trying to bury or burn the carcasses,” said Acharya.
According to TOI, a forest guard was suspended after the killings were reported. “The CBI should investigate,” Biswajit Mohanty of the Wildlife Society of Orissa has written to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2010.