Fresh Elephants census

SHILLONG, MAR 19: Opposition on Thursday demanded fresh census to determine the population of wild Elephants in view of the increased poaching and electrocution of the elephants in the state.

“I suggest a fresh census be conducted to determine the population of wild elephants in the state,” NPP legislator James K Sangma told the Assembly.

Earlier, Forest and Environment minister Prestone Tynsong in his reply mentioned that the total population of wild elephant in the state stands at 1811 as per census conducted in 2008.

Sangma however brought to the notice of the House that there has been a lot of poaching done and electrocution against the elephants. “This 1811 might have come down by now,” he said while suggesting the need for creation of elephant corridors to prevent man-animal conflict.

To this, Tynsong informed that as far as elephant corridors are concerned, the department has already completed the identification.

Echoing similar concern, Independent legislator John Leslee Sangma informed that there has been lots of encroachment of wild elephants into the NEHU campus as the corridor that was there for thousand years has been encroached.

John Leslee Sangma also sought clarification on the ex gratia payment for Garo Hills while alleging the same was pending since 2004.

On this, Tyngsong said, “That is not true. The pending amount yet to be received by government is Rs 2.46 crore which is meant not only for ex gratia but different components to address the man-animal conflict.”

Spelling out the steps taken to address the issue, Tynsong said apart from declaration of elephant reserve, constitution of community reserve, afforestation and habitat improvement have been taken up as a long term measure.

On the short term measure, Tynsong said setting up voluntary protection squads, construction of physical barriers, ex gratia payment and creating awareness among the locals are some of the measures.

Meanwhile, Tynsong also informed that the total forest cover area of the state in the year 2011 was 17275 sq km and in 2013, it was 17288. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) assesses forest cover of the country in biennial cycle which is once in two years, he added.- By Our Reporter