One event from Raigarh has become tragic after five-month-old elephant calf got trapped in the swampy part of Raigarh in the Kerajharia Forest under Chhal forest range and died. The scandalous incident has once again raised serious concerns regarding the working of the forest department and its safety measures for the conservation of elephants in the area.
Officials and local villagers say the calf was grazing with its herd when it stumbled onto a muddy area in the forest, tripped and was stuck in the wet earth. The herd and forest officials tried to save the young elephant but unfortunately it died on the spot. In the surrounding villages, the elephant herd stayed at the scene for several hours following the calf’s death, which led to an emotional scene, witnesses said.
The incident has renewed the criticism against the forest department, particularly in view of the fact that this is not the first incident. It is reported that almost 12 elephant calves have lost their lives in Raigarh and Dharamjaigarh Forest Division area in the last one year alone. The experts attending the symposium, who also noted the area’s fast-growing elephant population, said it was under growing pressure with dwindling forest resources, no safe corridors and growing human interference.
Environmentalists and nature lovers are asking for the Government of Chhattisgarh to take immediate steps, such as creating exclusive elephant corridors, regular monitoring of swampy areas, and increased transparency and accountability within the forest department. Residents are worried that further conflicts may be in the future, both for wildlife and for people, if immediate action is not taken.