Guwahati, July 22: Aaranyak, a member of the State Board of Wildlife, Assam and former member of National Board of Wildlife, has expressed deep concern and outrage over a recent incident involving the death of a female wild elephant on the premises of Numaligarh Oil Refinery (NRL) in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district.
“This tragic event, which occurred on July 18, 2024, is a stark reminder of the threats faced by elephants in their natural habitats, particularly in Golaghat district, which is part of a critical elephant corridor,” a statement issued on Monday by Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organisation, said.
Reports indicate that the elephant died owing to suspected electrocution after coming into contact with an exposed power cable within the butterfly park adjacent to the refinery.
“What is even more shocking is that the refinery authorities buried the elephant without notifying the forest department, in gross violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022,” it claimed.
Elephants that are classified as Schedule I animals under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022, and recognised as endangered species, besides being the National Heritage Animal in the country, deserve the highest level of protection.
“This incident raises serious questions about the operational protocols of NRL, its intention and commitment towards welfare of wildlife. The illegal disposal of the elephant’s carcass not only undermines the legal framework designed to protect endangered species but also reflects a concerning disregard for the ecological integrity of the region,” it stated.
“We call upon the authorities to take immediate action to address this situation and urge for filing of a complaint case against NRL for violation of Section 39 and Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022. At the same time, a thorough investigation needs to be instituted into the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s death and the illegal burial to gather evidence related to the complaint,” it added.
The biodiversity conservation organisation further advocated for collaboration with local civil society organisations to develop strategies that prioritise wildlife protection and habitat preservation.
“Additionally, initiating awareness campaigns is crucial to educate workers and authorities of industries about the importance of wildlife conservation and legal responsibilities in sensitive ecological zones,” it said.