Karnataka - Hassan   

Those responsible for elephant deaths go unpunished

Revering the dead: A file photo of an elephant that was electrocuted in Alur taluk in Hassan.

HASSAN: At a meeting attended by Principal Chief Conservator for Forests (Wildlife) B.K. Singh here recently, a Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. assistant executive engineer reported, much to everyone’s astonishment, that he had not lodged complaints against farmers on whose land two elephants were electrocuted within 48 hours in Alur taluk last month. Deputy Commissioner Naveen Raj Singh said that he would write to the Government about the matter.

Between 2005 and now, 14 elephants have died in the district, and half the deaths have occurred in Alur taluk due to electrocution. Two deaths occurred when the elephants came into contact with sagging power transmission lines.

Sources in the Forest Department said that of the 14 elephants, seven were electrocuted, two were poisoned, three were killed by tranquilizer overdose, one rolled down a hillock and one died of a swollen internal organ.

When an elephant dies of unnatural causes, the police register a case against the landowner on whose land the corpse was found. In most of the cases, either a ‘B’ report is filed or the courts acquit the accused because of lack of evidence. For three to four years now, the practice is to produce the accused in court before he is acquitted.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Ambadi Madhava said that according to the Wildlife Act, sections 9 and 51, the punishment for killing an elephant is a fine of Rs. 25,000 and three years’ imprisonment; a rule that is often ignored since people do not come forward to give evidence. People are now being made aware of the Act.

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