New Delhi: Expressing concern over the state’s lackadaisical attitude towards protection of wildlife, the Supreme Court Monday directed the state government to file its response on the steps it has taken to prevent man-elephant conflict and cruelty against elephants.
A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta directed the Odisha government to file a reply in two weeks on a petition filed by Prerna Bindra against alleged state-sponsored cruelty against animals. “The state of Odisha has to file its reply in two weeks positively,” the bench observed.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner made a submission that Odisha is yet to file an affidavit before the court. He argued that the state governments have been flouting the apex court orders and never take steps as directed by the court.
The top court August 1 had directed elephant casualty prone states including Odisha to take remedial steps for removing metal spikes and desist from using fireballs. It had also stayed tenders for procurement of burnt mobil oil by Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand.
The petitioner alleged that states like Odisha, West Bengal and Karnataka fund cruel programs for driving elephants. These states use mobil oil to make fireballs, electric fencing and metal spikes to drive elephants. These tactics are hurting elephants.
The petitioner pleaded with the court to direct Odisha and other states to immediately stop activities that condone or encourage deployment, distribution and procurement of fire inducing material and other harmful materials for driving of elephants.
It sought a court order to ensure that these states distribute high beam torch lights, laser beam lights, LED lights, among others to drive elephants. It requested use of machines that transmit the sound of buzzing bees till such time bee-farming is effectively implemented in villages adjoining the elephant corridors.