The Environment Ministry has announced that the Kerala pregnant elephant might have accidentally consumed the firecracker-filled fruit which led to its death. In a series of tweets, the Ministry offered more insights into the investigation.
Death of a 15-year-old Pregnant Elephant
Late last month, a pregnant elephant bit a cracker-stuffed fruit in Kerala’s Palakkad district, which eventually led to its death. Following the incident, several individuals across the country called for punishment to the offenders.
Environment Ministry gives an update about the investigation
As per the ministry, the pregnant elephant might have accidentally consumed the fruit. The ministry also noted that locals resort to this method to protect their vegetation from wild boars. In a series of tweets, the Ministry provided further details about the investigation.
Primary investigations revealed, the elephant may have accidentally consumed in such fruit. @moefcc is in constant touch with Kerala Govt & has sent them detailed advisory for immediate arrest of culprits & stringent action against any erring official that led to elephant's death
— MoEF&CC (@moefcc) June 6, 2020
As of now, one person has been arrested & efforts are on to nab more individuals who may have participated in this illegal & utterly inhumanae act. The @WCCBHQ has also been directed to act on this matter with utmost sense of urgency.#WildlifeProtection
— MoEF&CC (@moefcc) June 6, 2020
In the meantime, MoS, MoEF&CC, Shri @SuPriyoBabul requests everyone to not indulge or fall prey to in any of the rumours & fake news that are being circulated in the #SocialMedia. #ElephantProtection
— MoEF&CC (@moefcc) June 6, 2020
Minster of State for Environment Babul Supriyo requested citizens to abstain from spreading false rumors. The Ministry further added:
“The Kerala government and all departments concerned of the ministry are handling the matter in an unbiased manner. We are confident of concluding the investigation sooner than later, to be followed by exemplary LegalActions & punishment that will act as a strong deterrent to committing such future acts. We are deeply concerned & pained by the pathetic death of a pregnant Elephant in Palakkad District, Kerala. It is noted that many times locals resort to an illegal act of planting explosive-filled fruits to repel WildBoars from entering plantation farms.”
The review meeting for the topic was held under the chairmanship of Sanjay Kumar, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary in the ministry (DGF&SS) along with officials from National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA), Inspector General of Wildlife, ministry of environment, additional director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and scientists from Elephant Cell
Source: The Hindu
