Bhubaneswar: Odisha Forest Minister Ganesh Ram SingKhuntia on Sunday ordered a detailed inquiry into the unnatural death of elephants in the state. In a letter to Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Satyabrat Sahu, SingKhuntia has expressed concern over the death of about 50 elephants in the state this year.
Describing the matter circulated in media as very alarming, the minister said that additional care and protective measures are necessary to curb the issue. He stated that government has been taking various steps to prevent the unnatural death of the elephants through deployment of Gaja Sathis, and Rapid Action Teams etc. However, more care and sincerity on the part of Forest officials have become need of the hour to ensure safe environment with statutory protective measures for the safety of the elephants.
Priority must be given on the matter and errant officers must not be let scot free, the minister said. He said that responsibilities will be fixed against the officers found negligent and inefficient in safeguarding the life of the jumbos. Singkhuntia has ordered for division-wise thorough investigation on jumbo death incidents and take stringent action against those found responsible and to submit a report within a month.
