Elephant dies in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, three human deaths in a week

RAIPUR: A three-year-old female elephant was found dead in Krondha region of Dharamjaigarh forest range in Raigarh district on Thursday. Dharamjaigarh and Chaal forest regions are one of the most affected areas with human-elephant conflict which often results in death of humans and animal.

According to Raigarh DFO SS Kawar, the autopsy report shows that the elephant had died two days ago. "The reason couldn't be clarified as the body was decayed but it seems that either the tusker was sick or it was struck by lightening. the region witnessed heavy rain and thunderstorm two days ago."

The region has witnessed three deaths in last one week with frequent movement of elephants in large shuttling between Chaal and Dharamjaigarh forest range. About 70 elephants were spotted in last few days and forest department had sounded alert after three deaths.

Kawar said that department has suggested villagers to burn red chilies in gunnysack to prevent movement of tusker near their homes. " The pungent smell of chilly keeps elephants at bay and department provides resources to villagers for their safety. But its effect majorly depends on the direction of air. If air is in opposite direction, it won't prevent elephant in venturing towards village homes."

Admitting that there were loopholes and urgent need for concrete action, Kawar who has recently been appointed as DFO there said that project Gajaraj awaits for its sanction, "once it's sanctioned arrangements would be done for elephants for food and water, this would prevent them from venturing towards human habitat. The project costs Rs 2 crore."

Talking to TOI, Sajal Kumar, a social activist in Dharamjaigarh said that the place calls for immediate solution, "According to an RTI reply, this was 32nd death of elephant since 2005 while the place has lost 68 persons who were trampled to death in last few year."

There's always fear in the air as night falls in because finding a mutilated body with its limbs scattered all around in the morning is a horrifying sight for villagers and they spend sleepless nights, he added. "Thousands of locals had last year protested for safety of both elephants and human in the region and we are given compensation on loss of life or property as relief but no assurance that we will remain safe and sleep fearlessly," Sajal said.