In a decisive move to curb escalating human-elephant conflicts, the Hazaribag district administration in Jharkhand has established a round-the-clock monitoring system to track the movement of a rogue elephant responsible for two fatalities and one injury since December 8.
Emergency Measures and 24/7 Control Room
Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh chaired an emergency meeting on Saturday to address the crisis. A key outcome was the appointment of a trainee Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer as the nodal officer for a district control room dedicated to elephant tracking. This control room will operate 24 hours a day, collecting movement data from officials and residents and issuing immediate alerts to village heads and locals for timely precautionary action.
Public Advisory: Dos and Don'ts for Safety
Officials released a detailed advisory to enhance public safety in elephant-affected zones. Residents are urged to remain vigilant after sunset and avoid areas where elephants have been sighted. Key instructions include:
- Avoid running in a straight line if chased by an elephant.
- Groups of 8-10 people may attempt to drive elephants away using torches and loud noises, but must maintain a safe distance.
- Farmers in watchtowers should build them high on strong trees and keep a fire burning on the ground below.
- Do not offer food grains or store liquor like mahua, as it attracts elephants.
- Avoid wearing white or red clothing while attempting to drive elephants away.
Deputy Commissioner Singh also directed the electricity department to ensure a safe and uninterrupted power supply in elephant movement zones. Officials were instructed to keep elephant corridors free from encroachment and clean.
Awareness and Compensation Drive
To spread awareness, Hazaribag MLA Pradip Prasad flagged off a public awareness van that will tour rural areas, where such conflicts are now frequent. West Forest Division Officer Maun Prakash emphasized that public awareness is crucial to reducing damage. He also urged all circle officers to ensure time-bound disposal of pending compensation claims so affected individuals receive early financial aid.
In a tech-savvy step, the Forest Department appealed to the public to download the government application 'Hamar Haathi 2.0' to receive real-time information on elephant locations, empowering communities with timely data to prevent further casualties and property damage.
