WOKHA, AUGUST 8 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho has urged the Nagaland government to take immediate steps to address the rising incidents of elephant-human conflict in Wokha district, citing frequent loss of lives and the latest death of a villager on August 2.
In a memorandum to the Principal Secretary of the Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Wildlife Conservation, the Hoho said, “The Elephant-Human conflict and frequent tragic loss of human life has been very frequent under Wokha district. The most recent incident is the elephant trampling to death of one Rentsamo Odyuo, on August 2, at Riphyim New village, of Wokha district, as you are also aware.”
It stated that such fatalities are preventable if the concerned department had taken “suitable preventive measures; including awareness campaigns, along with the needed Forest Security personnel/guard and public participation, which you know have all been absolute zero/null.” The Hoho said “the shortcoming of the department is known to all” and placed four demands before the State and Central governments.
These include immediate and commensurate compensatory relief grants to the bereaved family of the latest victim; implementation of wildlife conservation measures such as setting up conservation sanctuaries at various elephant habitats in Wokha district along with preventive interventions; conversion of the existing Doyang Forest Plantation Division into an exclusive Wildlife Conservation Division for Wokha district; and deployment of at least half of the 150 forest guards currently under recruitment to Wokha district.
It noted that “the number of elephants, in Nagaland, mostly dwell in Wokha district” and that posting guards in districts “where not need, will amount to discrimination.”
