Deaths In Man-Elephant Conflict In Odisha: HC Seeks Report On Ex-Gratia

Cuttack: The Orissa high court has sought a status report on the ex-gratia and compensation paid by the state government for human deaths and property loss due to man-elephant conflict.

The bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice M S Raman issued the direction on Monday while taking note of the action point pertaining to revision of compassionate payment for human deaths, crop loss, human injury and property damage by wild animals included in the comprehensive action plan for conservation of elephants and mitigation of human-elephant conflict in Odisha.

Chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and chairman joint task force (JTF) Manoj Nair informed the court that the action plan has been approved by the state government.

The bench said ensuring implementation of the action plan in its letter and spirit is imperative.

Nair, who was present in virtual mode, said every effort is being made to ensure release of ex-gratia and compensation amounts within a much shorter period than the stipulated six months.

The JTF was directed to inform the court in tabular chart the names of persons who have been killed or injured or whose property was damaged by wild animals and who has sustained crop loss and what amount by way of ex-gratia and compensation have been released to such persons or families of such persons by next date of hearing on April 20.

The court was hearing four separate PILs concerning deaths of elephants on account of illegal poaching and electrocution.
The court was informed that there has been death of 12 elephants and 14 people since the previous hearing on January 18. Out of the 12 elephant deaths, two were due to poaching, four due to electrocution and three due to diseases. While one elephant died due to infighting two calves were trampled to death by other elephants.

The HC sought information on corrective action taken in connection with electrocution deaths.