National Green Tribunal takes suo moto cognizance of pregnant elephant's death; forms committee to probe incident

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has now taken suo moto cognizance in the recent case of the death of the pregnant wild elephant in Kerala's Palakkad and has constituted a committee to investigate the matter. The committee has been directed to submit an action taken report in the incident.

A highlight of the past two weeks was the tragic death of a pregnant elephant in Kerala who drowned after collapsing in the Velliyar river due to starvation and exhaustion, being unable to eat anything for over two weeks due to major injuries in her oral cavities, possibly after she was fed firecrackers-stuffed pineapple.

The NGT has noted that the elephant's death has agitated people across the country.

"Probably these things are happening due to various aspects of not following the norms for protecting the wild animals in the forest exposing them to have a conflict with human, thereby their lives were put to danger," the NGT said.

A bench comprising Justice K Ramakrishnan and Saibal Dasgupta also issued notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Kerala government and Centre and sought replies from them in this matter before July 10.

"In order to ascertain the real state of affairs and also the steps to be taken to protect the wildlife and minimize the man-animal conflict in the future, we feel it appropriate to appoint a joint committee," the bench said.

The bench added that the committee will go into the question and submit a factual and action-taken report, including the long term management plan to avoid such incidences in the future.

"It is also seen from the newspaper that some action has been taken by the Forest department and also from government level, including the central government," the bench said.

"But this case has been registered for the purpose of making an effort to avoid such things in future and also for providing some long term strategy to minimise man-animal conflict in wildlife area or fringe village adjoining the forest area," it added.

The bench will next hear the matter on July 10.