Guest guest Posted July 2, 2005 Report Share Posted July 2, 2005 The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, 02 July, 2005 Link: www.assamtribune.com Pachyderms kill 2 more at Numaligarh From Sanjay Kr Hazarika DERGAON, July 1 – Depredations by a herd of wild elephants is continuing at Numaligarh. The herd again killed two persons and injured two at Silveta No.2 under Bokakhat police station at around 1 am last night. According to the Bokakhat police, a group of wild elephnts killed Dipak Paja (5) and Manika Paja (3) on the spot while Binati Paja (45) and Matoo Paja (2) were seriously injured. Later they were shifted to Golaghat Civil Hospital for treatment. According to information received, a total of nine persons were killed by the herd. A total of 10 persons were killed by elephants in 2004. With the herd of elephants creating terror, the district administration and the Forest Department are yet to initiate any steps in this regard. The cause behind the depredation by elephants can be attributed to the setting up of a stone quarry at Behara which is an elephant corridor. According to sources the Forest Department alloted the stone quarry in September, 2004 to the railways on lease agreement. At present, more than 300 blastings have been carried out at 14 places at a length of 2.5 km area. The blasting and human activity have forced the elephants to change their routes. On the other hand, though the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is necessary near Kaziranga National Park (KNP) but in this case the assessment was not done. This was stated by a noted botanist and a nature activist of Golaghat Dr Padmeswar Gogoi. On the contrary, the Forest Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, declared an area 3,270 square kilometer as elephant reserve connecting KNP to Karbi Anglong on April 17, 2003. At present more than 30 stone quarry are in the Karbi Anglong area for which the wild animals are being disturbed. The other cause of this havoc is the encroachment in Tengani areas. While contacted Dr JB Ekka, the Deputy Commissoner, Golaghat told this Correspondent that he is trying to initiate moves to divert the herd back to forest. The villagers informed this correspondent that the herd comprises 75 elephants and now they are in the vicinity of Numaligarh TE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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