The Srikakulam District Forest Department has sought the help of both Union and State governments for relocation of four elephants either to nearby States or to a zoological park as there was little chance for their protection due to non availability of forest land.
Frequent damage to the crops, apart from attacks on residents, has become the order of the day in Palakonda forest area stretching over seven mandals and over 100 villages. The elephants, which came from Odisha forest area, could not be sent back to their location because of the ruling of Odisha High Court which made it clear that elephants and other animals do not have geographical boundaries and they can move even out of the country.
HC order challengedThe State Forest Department challenged the High Court’s order but it might take a long time for the final judgement. In this backdrop, the forest department submitted a detailed action plan to the Union Forest and Environment Ministry for their safe relocation in thick forest area or a zoological park. The elephants killed at least six people and damaged over Rs. 1 crore worth of crops in the last few years. The farmers are not able to get compensation immediately with the delay in assessment of crop damage by revenue, agriculture and horticulture departments.
Srikakulam District Forest Officer B. Vijaya Kumar told The Hindu that the department was anticipating a positive reply from the Centre. “Many unauthorised habitats have come up in tribal areas. That is why the four elephants could not get proper food and water, and were forced to enter villages. The plan of constructing trenches could not give the desired results. That is why the department urged the Union government’s intervention for the protection of animals as well as properties of people,” he added.
