Experts’ panel to study travails of TN tuskers

A Government Order issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests said that the committee led by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shekhar Kumar Niraj, would undertake a scientific study of the elephant population and their movement in the forest areas. The committee has been asked to look into various aspects of elephant habitat restoration and amelioration measures. It would also study the human-wildlife conflict, and the pattern of elephant births and deaths. The experts have also been requested to come out with a suitable comprehensive proposal, including an estimated cost, for the restoration of the habitat-related measures. The expert committee would have elephant expert Ajay Desai, biologists, wildlife veterinarians and a representative from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, southern region – Chennai.

“The study will also investigate existing conservation practises followed by the State like solar fencing, elephant trench and habitat improvement programmes. The key objective of the study will be to reduce the elephant mortality in the State and also advise the government to address issues related to straying of elephants into human settlements,” the order read. The final scientific report of the study that would span about six months should be submitted before December 31, 2020, the order read.

Even as it welcomed the formation of the expert committee led by Shekhar Niraj, Chennai-based Elephant Maximus Indicus Trust (EMIT) expressed reservation against a few members.