advertisement
Kerala forests have become a ‘graveyard’ of wild elephants with as many as 270 deaths being reported this year since January, according to an animal rights campaigner, a figure which is contested by the government.
The carcasses of 125 elephants had been reportedly found in the forests of Valparai, Athirappally, Vazhachal, Idamalyar, Pooyamkutty, Idukki and Munnar region, it said. The report also said that a total of 32 carcasses had been spotted in Malappuram district while 41 were found in south Wayanad forest areas, 37 in north Wayanad and 35 in Parambikulam, Palakkad and Walayar forest areas.
The activist also said 30 per cent of the carcasses of wild jumbos were found in areas near water bodies, which clearly indicate that they may have consumed poisonous food items from encroached plantations and farmhouses inside forests.
However, the state Forest Department feels this is an ‘exaggerated’ figure. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests OP Kaler said “As per our figures, a total of 97 elephants have died in the state forests during the period 2014-15. The exact figures of wild jumbo deaths of this year will be available only by March. I think, the figure of 270 wild elephant deaths is an exaggerated one.”
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)