The Jharkhand Assembly was abuzz with discussions on Thursday regarding the issue of elephant attacks, with MLAs expressing worry about the growing number of fatalities and urging immediate government action. During the Budget Session’s second day, Mandu MLA Nirmal Mahto from the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) staged a protest at the Assembly’s steps, criticizing the state government and Forest Department for their alleged negligence in addressing the escalating human-elephant conflicts.
More than 10 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in various elephant attacks across the state, as per Mahto, who accused the Forest Department of failing to implement an efficient monitoring system to track elephant movements despite the increasing casualties. The MLA highlighted that elephants frequently invade villages and urban areas, resulting in both human casualties and property damage, while the government’s response has been lacking.
Mahto attributed the elephants’ incursions into human settlements to widespread illegal mining activities, claiming that unauthorized coal and iron ore extraction, coupled with nighttime blasting in mining regions, have significantly disrupted the natural habitats of these animals. He criticized the government for its inability to protect the state’s natural resources, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach.
The compensation provided to the families of victims also drew strong criticism from Mahto, who deemed the current Rs 4 lakh ex gratia assistance for elephant attack-related deaths as insufficient. He advocated for a substantial increase in compensation to Rs 20 lakh or Rs 30 lakh, along with a government job for a member of each affected family. Additionally, he accused the government of reneging on promises concerning the reconstruction of homes damaged by elephant intrusions, asserting that affected families deserve better support than mere token assistance.
Mahto called for the formulation of a comprehensive policy framework to tackle the human-elephant conflict, encompassing measures such as scientific monitoring of elephant corridors, stringent actions against illegal mining practices, and a time-bound rehabilitation strategy for affected families.
