Exciting prospects

Bhagalpur, Jan. 31: An exclusive elephant safari in the periphery of the mysterious forests of Banka. Sounds exciting?

If the state government has its way, Bihar would have an elephant habitat and visitors enjoy a safari in the forest covers of Banka from April.

The Banka forest division had prepared a mega plan — elephant management project — worth Rs 15 crore and the state government has given its approval to the endeavour. The forest department has also devised a unique way to generate funds from Indian Railways against land allotted for a new railway line criss-crossing the forest area.

Wild elephants sneak into the forest covers falling under Katoria, Bounsi and Banka ranges, spreading across Katoria, Bounsi, Banka, Chandan and Belhar blocks in Banka district every year, particularly between March and May. The animals come from neighbouring districts like Deoghar, Godda and Dumka in Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand.

During their trail, the animals destroy agriculture produce and villagers’ property in the vicinity of the forests. Animal-human conflicts, too, are common in the district.

“Abundance of food and water invites the elephants to the forests every year. There is an acute shortage of fodder in the Santhal Parganas. After staying for two to three months, the herds return,” said Balram Manjhi, a resident of Kotoria.

Banka divisional forest officer (DFO) Kumarswami said the aim of the project was to ensure that the elephants stayed in the forests of the district. “We are planning to develop the forest as an ideal habitat for the elephants so that they stay here forever,” the DFO said.

He added that in the initial stage of the project, the forest department would arrange water and food like banana and bamboo for the elephants. Arrangements would be made to protect the property of the villagers, who live in villages dotting the forests.

“I think it would take some time for the elephants to choose the forests as their home. We are sure that we would be able to settle down some members of the huge family of elephants, especially the new generation, here,” Kumarswami said.

In 2011, then chief conservator of Banka forests R.B. Singh had sent a proposal to the state government to develop the Banka forest covers as an elephant habitat. The state government had given a nod to the plan. Kumarswami said the forest department would get the entire Rs 15 crore from the Indian Railways. “We had earlier sought the money from the railway when it requested us to provide forest land for completing the Sultanganj-Deoghar railway line project,” he said.

Over a 60km stretch of the Sultanganj-Deoghar railway route passes through the forest covers. The forest department has asked the railway to provide the money to use the forest covers for the proposed train tracks. “The project would start with Rs 5 crore,” Kumarswami said.

R. Gupta, the divisional railway manager (Malda) under whose jurisdiction Banka falls, was not available for comment. A senior railway officer said: “According to the agreement, the railway has to give Rs 15 crore to the forest department.”