Arunachal Students’ Association seeks inquiry into wild elephant killing in Pasighat

Dibrugarh: The Arunachal Students' Association (ASA) on Friday submitted a memorandum to the PCCF(HoFF), Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department of Arunachal Pradesh, requesting strict action against the killing of a wild elephant in Pasighat.

"We, the Arunachal Students' Association (ASA), would like to request your immediate intervention and the launching of an investigation into the killing of a Tusker wild elephant recently in Pasighat Reserved Forests under Pasighat Forest Division here in East Siang District," the students' body stated.

It further added, "A wild elephant tusker has allegedly been killed by poachers, and its tusks are said to have been removed while the trunk has also been chopped off. As per the video footage of the killed tusker circulating in some closed WhatsApp groups, this indicates a case of brutal wildlife crime, because the killing took place within the Reserved Forests, which are close to the D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary."

"The elephant comes under Schedule-I species, which is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and any act of hunting, killing, or illegal possession of its body parts is a grave offence punishable under the provisions of the Act. Such incidents within a Reserve Forest area and ESZ of a wildlife sanctuary raise serious concerns regarding the safety and protection of wildlife in the region," said Ninur Rukbo, general secretary of ASA.

He said, "Our ASA, being engaged in the conservation of forests and wildlife over the past years, strongly condemns such acts of killing, and those responsible should be booked and arrested. The movement of armed individuals into RF areas and other illegal activities should also be banned with immediate effect."