on tusker trail: Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Jamshedpur, Feb. 16: To check growing cases of man-animal conflict in Dalma, sanctuary authorities have decided to document migratory routes of elephants.

Divisional forest officer (DFO), Ranchi, A.T. Mishra said so far there was no data on the migratory pattern of herds leaving Dalma for neighbouring Bengal, Orissa or Chhattisgarh.

“Information available with wildlife officials is based on what local villagers say or police records when victims are trampled to death by marauding herds. So, this time, we will document the migratory route,” he said.

The DFO said a data team of forest officials, supported by NGOs having experience in wildlife missions, will follow routes taken by elephants in the past five years.

During the study, the team will map jungles, water bodies and vegetation that fall along the route. “Once the data is ready, the forest department will engage separate teams of officials to track herds,” Mishra said.

The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary has some 100 elephants, including eight calves. Around 80 per cent of these elephants migrate by the end of monsoon every year. Some herds move to Bengal, some to Saranda in West Singhbhum and others to Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj in Orissa.

On an average, five persons are trampled to death when Dalma herds migrate every year while at least one elephant falls prey to villagers’ ire. Besides, acres of standing crops and dozens of houses are damaged.

Mishra said documenting the migratory pattern would help forest officials predict the movement of herds and thus prevent any further man-animal conflict.

“It is a scientific way to protect precious lives — both human and animal. If we are aware of the migratory route, we can also protect elephants from rogue villagers and poachers,” the DFO added.