In a tragic incident, the lifeless body of a full-grown elephant was discovered in the dense forest of Kalyanpur on Sunday. The discovery was made by local residents in the Tuirupachra area of North Maharanipur ADC Village, who promptly informed the forest department and the police. The incident has raised serious concerns about the presence of forest bandits in the area, as it is believed that the elephant was killed by these perpetrators. At the face of it the wild elephant was shot dead by unknown people. The decomposed body indicates that the elephant was killed some weeks ago.
It may be menntioned here that only recently another wild elephant named Tumour was hit by a speeding train and after somedays he also sucummbed to his injuries. Forest department officials, veterinary dictors and locals tried to save him but failed.
As soon as the recovery of the wild elephant’s body reached Kalyanpur Forest Range Officer Bindujoy Tripura and Kalyanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tapas Malakar visited the site to assess the situation. According to sources, a team of doctors has already arrived to conduct an autopsy on the deceased elephant. A large contingent of police and forest department personnel is currently on the scene to investigate the matter further.
It was found during autopsy that the elephant was shot twice on head from two sides. The killers took away the two tusks and also part of hind lengs , tail and two ears. It is not yet clear why the killers took away the flesh from legs and why also the tail and ears.
The killing of a wild elephant has sparked sensation among the local community, although wild elephant rampages have become a daily occurrence in the Kalyanpur and Teliamura areas. However, the deliberate killing of such a majestic creature is deemed unacceptable by many. Kalyanpur Forest Department Ranger Bindujoy Tripura stated that the exact cause of the elephant’s death would be determined after the postmortem examination.
Background on Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Kalyanpur and Teliamura
The Kalyanpur and Teliamura areas in Tripura have been witnessing frequent human-wildlife conflicts, particularly involving wild elephants. These regions, which include natural elephant corridors, have seen numerous incidents where wild elephants have entered human habitations, causing significant damage to property and posing a threat to human lives.
The recurring rampage of wild elephants in areas such as Krishnapur, Bagber, South Ghiltali, and North Maharanipur under the Khowai District has become a persistent issue. These incidents not only spread fear and panic among the residents but also result in substantial damage to crops and homes, severely disrupting the socio-economic fabric of the region.
Despite government efforts and certain interventions, the human-elephant conflicts continue to escalate. The affected communities have expressed frustration over the recurring elephant attacks and have reiterated their demand for a sustainable solution to this crisis. Measures such as creating elephant corridors, enhancing forest cover, installing barriers, and utilizing advanced technologies like drone monitoring have been suggested to prevent future incursions.
The brutal killing of the wild elephant in Kalyanpur has also exposed the presence of an organized gang of poachers in the forest areas of the state. This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by poaching activities, which target elephants for their valuable tusks. Forest officials have assured that a thorough investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for this heinous act.
The Tripura government has been actively working on strategies to resolve man-animal conflicts in the region. Immediate measures, such as creating trenches to restrain the free movement of elephants and building watch towers to monitor their activities, are being implemented as part of a pilot project. These efforts aim to balance conservation efforts with community safety, ensuring that both human lives and wildlife are protected.
The tragic death of the elephant in Kalyanpur underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and effective measures to address human-wildlife conflicts in the region. It is imperative that the government, along with local communities and environmentalists, work together to find sustainable solutions that safeguard both human and animal lives.
