ENQUIRY INTO ELEPHANT’S DEATH
The Union Ministry
Environment & Forests has instituted an enquiry into the recent
death of an elephant last month after being captured in Chattisgarh.
The three member Committee of Experts will inquire into the circumstances
and cause of death of the elephant, appropriateness of the techniques
adopted for the capture and training of the animal. The Committee
will also ascertain whether any lapses or irregularities were
committed by any authority or person leading to the death of the
elephant. The Committee of Experts will also suggest steps to
be taken to avoid such incidents in future. The Environment &
Forests Minister Shri T.R. Baalu ordered the enquiry yesterday.
The Committee will
be headed by Shri S.C. Sharma, former Additional Directror General
of Forests (Wild life) in the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
Dr. N. Panneer Selvam, Veterinary Officer, National Zoological
Park, Delhi and Shri S. Singsit, Director in-charge of the Dehradun
based of Wild life Institute of India are the other members. The
Committee has been asked to submit its report within one month.
A bull tusker captured
on the 6th of last month and handed over for training
died on the 24th of last month. The elephant was proclaimed
as rogue under Section 11(1) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
1972 by the Chief Wild Life Warden of Chattisgarh. This elephant
has killed three persons in and around Narainpur area of Chattisgarh.
