Alarming Elephant Mortality in Haridwar Forests: 16 Deaths Recorded in Five Years
Official data from the Haridwar forest division has revealed a distressing trend, with a total of 16 elephants perishing over the past five years. The period from 2021 to 2026 saw these tragic losses, with the highest number of fatalities occurring in the year 2025. Among the deceased elephants, 13 were male and three were female, which included three vulnerable calves.
Breakdown of Deaths by Cause and Location
The incidents were primarily concentrated in the Shyampur and Khanpur forest ranges. A detailed analysis of the causes shows that four elephants died due to electrocution, one was killed in a tragic rail accident, and one tusker lost its life in a fight with another elephant. Forest officials stated that the remaining 10 elephants succumbed to natural causes.
Divisional Forest Officer Swapnil Anirudh provided a location-specific breakdown, noting that eight carcasses were discovered in the Shyampur range, four in Khanpur, two in the Haridwar range, and one each in the Rasaibad and Chidiyapur areas.
Human-Wildlife Conflict and Conservation Challenges
Anirudh emphasized that the Shyampur and Khanpur ranges, which are situated near the ecologically sensitive Rajaji Tiger Reserve, experience frequent elephant movement. While most deaths were attributed to natural causes, he highlighted electrocution as a persistent and serious concern that requires immediate attention.
In response to one such incident, police registered a case against the concerned electricity department following the death of an elephant in Bahadrabad. The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) was directed to remove hanging electricity wires from areas that are commonly traversed by elephants to prevent future tragedies.
Community and Activist Appeals for Wildlife Protection
Social activist Vibhash Mishra voiced strong concerns, urging the forest department to take decisive action to address these issues. He made a heartfelt appeal to the public, requesting people to refrain from chasing elephants in urban areas to record videos, as such disruptive acts severely disturb wildlife and exacerbate human-animal conflicts.
This situation underscores the critical need for enhanced conservation measures, better infrastructure management, and increased public awareness to safeguard the majestic elephants of Haridwar and ensure their peaceful coexistence with human populations.
