15-year-old tusker at Chenga village under the Panighata forest range near India-Nepal border

SILIGURI, 5 SEPT: Forest officials found a carcass of a 15-year-old tusker at Chenga village under the Panighata forest range near India-Nepal border today.
The state forest minister, Mr Hiten Barman, has sought a detailed report on the elephant’s death. Mr Barman said: “Many men many minds. I have heard several allegations from various corners. But I do not know the exact cause of death of the animal. I have sought a detailed report and will be able to get it tomorrow.” According to forest officials, the tusker sustained two small and old injuries. The elephant died at a village, which is not a forest area. The tusker was alone and roaming elsewhere.
The forest officials are not sure that the tusker left the herds of elephants staying at Bagdogra and Bamon Pokhari areas. The forest minister said: “Post-mortem has been conducted and viscera sample collected for further investigation today.”
The minister Mr Barman yesterday held a meeting with the Army officials to prevent elephant from falling into water reservoirs at Army cantonment, a prohibited area, located at Bengdubi near Siliguri.
“We have requested the Army officials to set up a fencing to check elephants being trapped in water reservoirs. Both the army and forest departments would request the Centre for setting up a fencing,” Mr Barman said. Four such incidents took place at Bengdubi Army cantonment since 8 August and six elephants including calf and sub adult elephants were trapped into water reservoirs.
- SNS