Elephant killings must be stopped: Environment minister

Environment, forest and climate change minister Md Shahab Uddin said on Tuesday that the government is working to take a zero tolerance policy to prevent killing of elephants and other wildlife, reports UNB.

"Elephant killing should be stopped at any cost. The government took legal action against those involved in the killing of wild elephants in recent times," said the minister.

The minister said at a view-exchange meeting with local administration and people's representatives on elephant conservation and resolving elephant and human conflict and handing over compensation checks to the people affected by elephants in Chattogram.

He said the government is committed to prevent killing of elephants, tigers or any other wildlife. Referring to various initiatives taken by the government for protecting the elephants, the minister said punishment of elephant killers and compensation for the victims of elephant attack is being ensured along with creating public awareness.

"Arrangements are being made to train the staff of the forest department concerned for resolving the elephant-human conflict, returning the elephants to forests when they enter localities and raising awareness among people," he said.

Moreover, the conventional roads and corridors for elephant movement are being restored, he said adding that banana trees and other herbaceous plants will be cultivated to ensure supply of elephant feed, he added.

The family of a person who was killed in the elephant attack was given Tk 300,000 and two others were given Tk 45,000 each for crop damage as compensation.

Earlier on 22 Nov, the high court directed the government authorities to take prompt action against elephant killings in the country. The court also issued a rule and directed the information and broadcasting ministry to spread awareness on preventing elephant killings.