At least 47 elephants electrocuted in West Bengal since 2015: Data

At least 47 elephants electrocuted in West Bengal since 2015: Data

The animal-human conflict has been a problem in the state for decades now.

At least 47 elephants have been electrocuted in West Bengal since 2015, data from the West Bengal Forest Department has revealed. While 22 elephants were killed in south Bengal, 25 died in north Bengal. The state government is planning to insulate low-tension wires along the elephant corridors. Calcutta High Court had ordered to stop elephant deaths by electrocution in September.

At least 47 elephants electrocuted in West Bengal since 2015: Data
Video: Elephant falls into 50ft TN well, 2 cranes deployed for rescue

The animal-human conflict has been a problem in the state for decades now. Between 2014 and 2019, West Bengal accounted for the highest number of people killed by tigers and the second-highest by elephants.

The state government has begun providing jobs to the families of people killed by wild elephants, tigers and other animals since 2015 in the state.

"At least 584 people were killed by wild animals in the state between 2015 and 2020 [till October 31]. In the first phase at least 434 people would be provided with the jobs of home guards," an official of the state forest department said.

"Till date villagers killed by elephants used to get a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakhs. We have taken a policy decision that henceforth we will provide a member of the victim's family a job of the home guard," the official said.

West Bengal is home to over 700 elephants and nearly 100 tigers.

The decision to offer jobs to the families of those who were killed by wild animals comes at a time when the assembly elections are nearing in the state.

The state government has also decided to provide jobs to family members of missing people abducted by Maoists.

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