-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660
Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Kunki elephants to guide jumbos disturbing Nadora
------------------------------------------------------------------
The deputy conservator of forests, Mr C D Singh today
forwarded a proposal to the chief wildlife warden, Goa,
requesting for hiring the services of Kunki and organising
joint operations with the forest departments of Goa and
Maharashtra as well as the locals from both sides of the
border, to guide the elephants which are currently disturbing
the North Goa village of Nadora, back to their natural habitat.
Kunki elephants are trained domesticated animals which
are used for patrolling forests, taking tourists around a place,
loading and unloading goods, pushing wagons of the train
and capturing as well as guiding wild animals including
elephants.
It may be recalled that two female elephants with a calf which
have strayed from Karnataka to Goa via Maharashtra, have
been disturbing the Nadora village and its neighbouring areas
since two-and-a-half months.
Mr Singh, speaking to a group of reporters today said that
the forest task-force has been trying to send back the
elephants to their natural habitat in Karnataka, without
any success.
"In fact, the animals travelled at least five km deep inside
Maharashtra state only to return back to Goa, with the biotic
pressure forcing them to do so," he said, pointing out that
the absence of a tusker elephant in the herd, has helped in
not aggravating the situation.
Fortunately there has been no loss of human life or damage
to the houses and property from these elephants, but some
crops in and around the village have been destroyed, Mr Singh
informed, adding that the elephants are presently residing in
a patch of bamboos.
Speaking further, he said that the forest task-force made the
latest attempt for driving out the elephants across the border,
on July 11, however, in spite of best efforts to do so
throughout the night, the mission failed.
The use of Kunki elephants to guide the three-member herd
into Karnataka has now become essential, Mr Singh said,
stating "a herd of elephants normally don't attack another
herd." It was also informed that the nearest place to supply
Kunki elephants is Shimoga village in Karnataka, which has
a camp of at least 30 domesticated elephants.
Replying to a question, deputy conservator of forests
said that the government has not finalised the guidelines for
compensation of losses resulting from the wild animals but
a procedure about filing such compensation claims is in place.
A joint inspection carried out by the range officer and zonal
agricultural officer, 'when the damage is fresh', is necessary
for considering such a claim, he noted.
Answering yet another question, Mr Singh said that the locals
from the Nadora village have been requested to form groups
for patrolling the areas, along with the forest officials.He also
requested the locals to keep away from the future operations
for driving away the elephants. "The crowds make the animals
nervous and go out of control," Mr Singh added.
-----------------------------------------------
The Navhind Times 14/07/05 page 1
-----------------------------------------------
=======================================
GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE
Documentation + Education + Solidarity
11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507
Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: www.goadesc.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy
=======================================
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.15/49 - Release Date: 7/14/2005
