Aaranyak bats for legal action against NRL for burying of elephant in NRL Township

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 22, 2024

Northeast’s premier biodiversity organization, Aaranyak on Monday expressed its deep concern and outrage regarding the recent incident involving the death of a female wild elephant inside the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd campus in Golaghat district of Assam.

Aaranyak, a member of the State Board of Wildlife, Assam and former member of the National Board of Wildlife, said the tragic event, which occurred on July 18, is a stark reminder of the ongoing threats faced by elephants in their natural habitat, particularly in the Golaghat district, which is part of a critical elephant corridor.

“Reports indicate that the elephant died due 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 the refinery authorities buried the elephant without notifying the forest department, in gross violation of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended in 2022,” said Dr Bibhuti P Lahkar, Head of Elephant Research and Conservation Division, Aaranyak.

Lahkar said elephants that are classified as Schedule I animals under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022, and recognized as endangered species, besides the National Heritage Animal in the country, deserve the highest level of protection and respect. This incident raises serious questions about the operational protocols of the Numaligarh Refinery Limited, 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. We, call upon the authorities to take immediate action to address this situation,” he said.

“We urge for an immediate filing of a complaint case against the Numaligarh Refinery Limited for violation of Section 39 and Section 9 of Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022. At the same time a thorough investigation, be instituted into the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s death and the illegal burial to gather needed evidences related to complaint case,” he said.

He also said the forest department needs to ensure accountability for those responsible so as to deter such violations in future. It is essential to implement stricter safety measures to protect wildlife, particularly in Numaligarh Refinery campus.

“We also advocate for collaboration with local civil society organizations to develop strategies that prioritize wildlife protection and habitat preservation. Additionally, initiating awareness campaigns is crucial to educate worker and authorities of industries about the importance of wildlife conservation and their legal responsibilities in sensitive ecological zones,” he further said.

“As stewards of the environment and wildlife, it is our collective responsibility to ensure the protection of endangered species like elephants, enlisted in Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. We hope that this incident serves as a catalyst for change and reinforces the need for sustainable practices that respect both industrial development and wildlife conservation,” he added.