Madhya Pradesh Forest Department Intensifies Efforts to Resolve Human-Elephant Conflict in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
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Bhopal, Dec 27 (NationPress) The Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh has intensified efforts to discover a sustainable solution for the escalating human-elephant conflict in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR).
High-ranking forest officials, including Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Subharanjan Sen and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), L. Krishnamoorthy, participated in a brainstorming session held at BTR on Thursday.
During this meeting, field officials responsible for monitoring the movement and behavior of elephants and other wildlife shared their insights and proposed essential actions for the forest department and relevant authorities.
This initiative was prompted by the unfortunate deaths of 10 elephants near BTR a few months prior, which raised significant concerns for the state's forest and wildlife department regarding the safety and security of wild animals.
On Thursday, the Central bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) reviewed a petition that requested recommendations and corrective measures from the authorities concerning the increasing human-elephant conflict in BTR.
In its report presented to the NGT, the state forest department disclosed that cyclopiazonic acid was detected in the autopsy samples following the elephant fatalities. This was attributed to the consumption of fungus-infected Kudo millet, which led to the death of 10 elephants on the BTR outskirts.
In response to the tragic loss of elephants, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his deep concern during a meeting with senior forest and wildlife officials and urged for a long-term solution to mitigate human-elephant conflict.
Additionally, the forest department has commenced a counting operation for wildlife, including tigers and leopards, in the vicinity of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Over 1200 CCTV cameras have been set up to monitor the movements of wild animals.
"This is a regular exercise conducted once a year. Approximately 650 locations have been identified for camera installations. This process will continue for the next 25 days. The final report will be submitted to the Wildlife Institute Dehradun," a senior forest official in BTR informed IANS.
