Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the devastating deaths of wild elephants in Belagavi district. This action follows the discovery of two electrocuted wild elephants within the Nagargali forest range in Khanapur taluk on Monday.
A directive from the Minister instructs Prabash Chandra Ray, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden), to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a detailed report within five days.
Sources within the Forest Department indicate that Chief Conservator of Forests Manjunath R. Chavan is likely to lead this inquiry. As of Monday evening, an official letter from the head office was awaited, but Mr. Chavan affirmed that a detailed investigation would proceed according to established regulations once the order is received.
Basic Protocols Allegedly Violated
Department officials have already visited the Nagaragali jungle on Monday to gather preliminary information. Initial findings suggest that fundamental protocols for wildlife sightings may have been disregarded.
The Standard Operating Procedure mandates that HESCOM (Hubli Electricity Supply Company Ltd.) officials be requested to de-energize main power lines in areas where wild animals are observed, a crucial step to prevent casualties. Investigators comprising forest and HESCOM officers at the site found evidence that some farmers were illegally bypassing HESCOM lines, utilizing solar power systems for their farms in contravention of regulations. More alarmingly, some had reportedly connected wires directly to the main power supply and left the other ends exposed on the ground. The inquiry will aim to determine if these actions were deliberate.
Senior officers have also noted that the jurisdictional officers were not at the Nagargali range, their operational headquarters, when the incident occurred. They reportedly arrived in Khanapur only after news of the tragic event broke. A departmental inquiry will assess whether there was any dereliction of duty on the part of these officials.
Farm Owner Booked
Meanwhile, Khanapur police have registered a case against Ganapathi Sateri, the owner of the farmland where the elephant carcasses were discovered. An First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Mr. Sateri, a resident of Sulegali village.
The bodies of the elephants have been sent for post-mortem examinations, after which they will be buried, officials confirmed.
Chief Minister Links Resorts to Human-Wildlife Conflict
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commented on the incident in Mysuru on November 3, suggesting that the proliferation of resorts and safaris in Karnataka’s forest areas contributes to wild animals venturing out of their habitats.
Responding to journalists’ questions regarding a recent spate of tiger attacks in the region, Mr. Siddaramaiah explained that increased human activity in forest zones due to tourism and recreational facilities disrupts wildlife. He also cited a shortage of water and fodder as additional factors compelling elephants, tigers, leopards, wild boars, and deer to move out of forested areas.