New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday restrained the West Bengal government from processing tenders issued by it for the supply of burnt mobile oil to keep herds of elephants away by using fire torches.
The counsel for the state of West Bengal submitted to the bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta that fire torches are the only way to prevent herds from causing damage. The bench, however, was doubtful of the state’s claim and asked it to place on affidavit the name and designation of the person who will be responsible in each forest division in the event of a mishap due to fire.
“The concerned person will also file an affidavit that he will be responsible in case of any mishap”, the order issued by the bench said. The bench has also directed the Odisha government to file an affidavit in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Centre through Additional Solicitor General A.N.S. Nadkarni, assured the bench that a meeting is scheduled on December 1 for instituting a task force or a steering committee to assist the Centre and the states to formulate and implement measures to effectively deal with conflicts with elephants occurring in all parts of the country – through the active participation of all relevant stakeholders and experts.
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The bench was hearing a writ petition filed by Prerna Singh Bindra, a well-known conservationist and author, seeking the formation of such a task force, so that once and for all some corrective and remedial measures are taken and elephants in different parts of the country are not subjected to violence.
On September 17, inspector general of forests, Noyal Thomas, assured the bench that he could submit a report within a month on the removal of spikes and discontinuation of fire balls etc., for the safety of elephants. With the bench scheduled to hear the case again on December 4, more clarity is expected on the steps being contemplated by the Centre and the states to protect elephants.
The Supreme Court’s hearing of the matter assumes significance with reports indicating a spurt in the number of elephants being killed due to collisions with trains in central and eastern India.