The report, “A royal requiem for ‘Maharaj’” (June 24) — on the death of the rogue elephant after it was captured in Coimbatore, and the tribute paid to it by villagers — underpins the challenges of conflict management. ‘Operation Madukkarai Maharaj’ was planned well but executed poorly. Apparently the tranquillised elephant was bundled off hurriedly before allowing it to cool off and regain its posture. Kumkhis also mishandled the elephant. The tranquillised elephant obviously underwent tremendous trauma and could have suffered cardiac arrest. The protocol in administering tranquillisers should have been adhered to strictly as the elephant was continuously tracked and traumatised. It seems little has been learnt from the Doddabetta and Devarshola tiger capture episodes. It is true that the Forest Department struggles to balance unprecedented public outcry, media exaggerations and saving wildlife in distress in such challenging conflict situations. However, it should avoid hasty and panic reactions to smother the fear psychosis among the local people.
The incident of another elephant being run over by a train near Madukkarai also needs comment. Have we forgotten how nearly half-a-dozen elephants and their calves died for the same reason at the same spot in 2008? A wide underpass with succulent fodder growing alongside and a waterbody in the vicinity would help the animals avoid crossing the tracks. Village-level conflict management resource centres must be set up to help the Forest Department. With the huge public debate surrounding the culling of other species considered as “vermin”, the future of wildlife in India is under great stress unless we adopt a pragmatic approach towards our fellow creatures.
G. Ramprasad,
Chennai
