The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Court: expedite probe into elephant deaths

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Saturday, Nov 15, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court: expedite probe into elephant deaths

Staff Reporter

It wants a final report to be filed by December 9

Reports said that the animals were poisoned
Court asks State whether it can cancel ‘patta’ of lands adjoining forests and national parks

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the State Government to expedite investigation into the recent cases of elephant death and file a final report in court by December 9, 2008.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit passed the order on a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) initiated by the High Court.

The court had taken note of reports about the inhuman manner in which the elephants were killed and had taken to task the Forest Department for its laxity in preventing the deaths.

When the matter came up, the Assistant Solicitor-General, appearing for the Centre, said he had already informed the Inspector-General of Forests about the elephant deaths and sought time to make his submissions.

The Bench, referring to reports that the elephants had died due to poisoning, said it was unfortunate and wanted to know how farmers had come in possession of cyanide.

Advocate for the State said cyanide was mixed in ragi balls and when the elephants ate them, they could not breathe.

They then moved towards the Kabini river as they wanted to drink water.

The Bench observed that man had become inhuman and asked the State whether it could cancel the “patta” of lands adjoining the forests and national parks.

It observed that these lands some decades ago were part of the forests.

It suggested to the Advocate-General, who was present in court, that such lands could be acquired by the State and handed over to the Forest Department.

Report

The Advocate-General said officials of the Forest Department had an interaction with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the issue and with wildlife experts . He said he would place a comprehensive report on elephant deaths in court before the next date of hearing.

The High Court also heard the views of a wildlife expert, a retired professor, on the causes of elephant deaths and asked him to assist the court in arriving at a solution.

The Bench adjourned further hearing of the case till December 9.

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