Human-elephant conflicts claim 25 lives in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Altogether 9622 cases of human-elephant conflict were registered with the Forest Department of Meghalaya which have resulted in death of 25 persons, injury to 22 persons and damage of crop in 4009 hectare of area, according to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

An amount of Rs 4.41 crore was paid as ex-gratia to villagers for loss of life, damage to property and agricultural crop in these cases.

During a joint inspection by the audit team in the Shallang area which is under the proposed Khasi Hills Elephant Reserve, to assess the impact of human activities on wildlife habitat, it was observed that a natural salt lick in the area that was once a big gathering place for the elephants, had almost vanished due to construction activities and heaps of coal stock and rampant deforestation could be noticed all along the area.

A salt lick is a place where animals go to lick essential mineral nutrients from deposit of salts and other minerals.

The CAG report added that fresh coal stock was found lying/dumped in these forest areas which have reduced the food and water availability for wildlife.

The Range Officer (RO) Nongpoh stated that elephants were migrating from Garbangha Reserved Forest in Assam towards Nongkhyllem Reserved Forests of Meghalaya where habitations have come up in the forest fringes.

“The stone/limestone mining quarries, human settlements and plantations like rubber, broom etc., had affected migration path of elephants resulting in change in their routes and raiding human settlements for food and water,” the report stated.

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