Umariah The recent deaths of wild elephants in the world famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve area of the district have taken a new turn. From villagers to experts and officials of agriculture, forest and veterinary departments have expressed doubts about death due to eating kodo. Along with this, due to different opinions, questions are being raised on Bandhavgarh management including the investigation report.
The case is of the death of 10 wild elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, new statements regarding whose death are coming out every day. Recently, the Agriculture Department and the Veterinary Department have issued their statements. After his statements, there has been a stir in Bandhavgarh National Park.
How can intelligent elephants die
If we talk about farmers, they believe that when humans and cattle do not die due to eating Kodo, then an intelligent elephant can never die. At the same time, the Agriculture Department has told that if there was fungus in the Kodo crop, then the Forest Department did not tell this. As far as the matter is reported, only Bandhavgarh management should know about it. At the same time, the doctor of the veterinary department believes that in all the reports it is being said that the death of elephants is due to eating kodo, but the death of the elephant is raising some doubts.
What did the farmers say?
Farmer Jhallu Chaudhary says that the elephants have died on the Khitauli side. This has never happened. We spend ten days here and eat every day. Not even a single cattle dies. Right now he is grazing in the adjacent field, he is forcibly entering the cattle into our field, so we have forbidden him not to bring it here. Regarding the death of elephants, another farmer Surjan Singh says that the elephant will not die due to eating kodo, if it eats too much then we do not know.
Agriculture Department gave its opinion
When Deputy Director Agriculture Sangram Singh Marabi was talked about in this matter, he said that the reason behind the death of elephants is said to be the crop of Kodo. But no one has seen whether there was fungus in it or not. Scientists have told that if the plant crop is wet then it should be cut and piled. After this, if it rains and gets sunlight, then fungus starts growing in it. That too due to the moisture present inside the crop.
I didn’t see anyone eating
The Deputy Director said that even the farmer did not see and the forest people also did not see whether there was a heap there or not. If the farmer had kept the crop in a heap and the elephant ate it, there is no one to tell about it, then we cannot say that the elephant ate the crop itself. We would not like to comment on that.
The animal handler gave this statement
At the same time, when Dr. KK Pandey, Deputy Director, Veterinary Department, was talked to in this matter, he had something else to say. He said that the forest people told the public that when they ate the Kodo crop, they died due to fungal infection. Wherever samples were sent for testing, it was reported that the acid produced by eating Kodo causes fungal infection. The acid produced by fungal infection is called CPA. He is said to have died.
depends on quantity
When Pandey was asked, the villagers said that if cows and bulls are eaten, they do not die. He asked how much the cows and bulls eat. Well, some cows and bulls have some problems but it depends on their size and how much they eat. Which Kodo was or was not fungal infected? If there was no infection then Kodo would not cause death. Death is caused by fungus, not by whiplash.
Umaria News: After the death of 10 elephants, another bad news from Umaria, elephant cub fell ill, this reason came to light
It is worth noting that if we agree with the Deputy Director of Agriculture, then the farmers’ Kodo crop was standing in the field and fungus never occurs in the standing crop. It seems that the elephants became victims of some other incident and died. At the same time, to hide its shortcomings, the Forest Department hastily plowed the standing crops of the farmers and burnt them. So that no evidence was left and the PM’s dream of promoting millets was shattered.
What steps can be taken to prevent further wildlife deaths in regions like Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Wildlife Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into significant environmental issues. Today, we’re discussing the troubling matter of the recent deaths of wild elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Joining us is Dr. Rajesh Menon, a leading wildlife expert and conservationist. Dr. Menon, thank you for being here.
Dr. Menon: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical situation that needs attention.
Editor: Let’s dive straight in. Reports have emerged that ten wild elephants have died in Bandhavgarh, with many attributing the cause to eating kodo. What is your perspective on this?
Dr. Menon: It’s alarming to hear about such a loss of wildlife, especially elephants, which are known for their intelligence and adaptability. The link to kodo consumption raises several questions. Given the statements from farmers and officials, it seems there is a disconnect in understanding the actual cause of these deaths.
Editor: You mentioned the farmers’ views. They argue that if humans and their livestock are unaffected by kodo, then elephants, known for their intelligence, shouldn’t be dying from it. How do you interpret this?
Dr. Menon: The observations from farmers are valid. Elephants have a remarkable ability to instinctively avoid harmful food sources. If kodo is leading to fatalities in elephants, we must consider other variables at play, such as fungal contamination or environmental factors.
Editor: Right, and that brings us to the statements from the Agriculture Department, which suggest that if there is fungus present in the kodo crop, it hasn’t been reported yet. What’s your take on this?
Dr. Menon: This is concerning. The presence of fungi could indeed be a potential factor. Fungal growth can occur from improper storage or excessive moisture, which is not uncommon in agricultural practices. It’s imperative for proper inspections to be conducted to ascertain whether the crop was indeed contaminated before jumping to conclusions.
Editor: It seems there’s a need for thorough investigations from Bandhavgarh management. How should officials proceed from here?
Dr. Menon: First and foremost, there should be a comprehensive autopsy of the deceased elephants to determine the exact cause of death. Alongside this, a detailed environmental assessment of the kodo fields is essential. Collaboration between the agriculture and wildlife departments, along with local farming communities, would help create a clearer picture.
Editor: Local farmers, particularly Jhallu Chaudhary and Surjan Singh, emphasize they have not seen any of their livestock show signs of distress from kodo. They express disbelief that elephants could suffer from it. How crucial is community involvement in this context?
Dr. Menon: It’s extremely important. Local knowledge and experiences are invaluable tools for conservation efforts. Engaging the farming community in monitoring and reporting unusual wildlife behavior or land management practices can lead to preventative measures and foster a cooperative approach to wildlife conservation.
Editor: Lastly, in light of this incident, what message would you like to convey to conservationists and policymakers?
Dr. Menon: We must prioritize evidence-based research and community collaboration in wildlife management. Current protocols need to be reassessed to avoid oversights that could further jeopardize wildlife populations. Conservation is not just about protecting animals; it’s about harmonizing their habitats with human activities.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Menon, for shedding light on this complex issue. We hope to see collaborative efforts that benefit both wildlife and communities in Bandhavgarh and beyond.
Dr. Menon: Thank you for bringing attention to this vital issue. Together, we can make a difference.