Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: A wild elephant carcass appeared in the Padumoni Pam village of Samaguri, Assam. The animal likely left its forest home to hunt for food. Forest Department officials reached the scene to launch an investigation. They will determine the cause of death after a full examination.
The incident coincides with intense backlash against a proposal from Vantara. The Reliance-backed, Anant Ambani-operated facility wants to build three rescue centres in Assam. One site would focus solely on Asian elephants. The state’s Environment and Forest Minister said the August 12 proposal is currently under review.
Critics demand transparency. Environmental journalist Mubina Akhtar noted that rescue centres and zoos share legal classifications under Section 2(39) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. She warned that rescue centres should not function as exhibitions. “While a traditional zoo is open for exhibition of animals to the general public, a rescue centre is an establishment for the care and rehabilitation of animals and is strictly not open for exhibition to the public,” Akhtar said.
Activists voiced major alarms regarding the transfer of animals to Jamnagar, Gujarat. Records show the Radhe Krishna Temple Welfare Trust bought 10 sub-adult elephants from owners in Chowkham, Arunachal Pradesh. These animals now join 152 other Asian elephants already held in captivity at the arid Gujarat facility. Critics argue that moving megafauna from their natural habitat is unethical.
Devojit Moran questioned why Assam needs another private facility. He argued that the state should instead bolster existing infrastructure like the Wildlife Trust of India operations in Kaziranga. Wildlife expert Jayanta Kr Das supported building local centres but drew a hard line. He insisted that any new projects must not facilitate further wildlife transfers to Gujarat. Experts now demand a white paper detailing operational plans and a list of all animals already moved under exchange programs.
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