A tragic incident unfolded at the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Golaghat district, where the carcass of an adult female elephant was discovered and subsequently buried without proper notification to the forest department. The elephant, believed to have been electrocuted on July 18 at the refinery’s Butterfly Park, was interred by NRL staff within the premises. Upon learning of the incident, forest officials exhumed the body on July 19 to conduct a post-mortem examination. The case has now been registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death and the refinery’s actions.
Divisional Forest Officer Sushik K Thakuria expressed concern over NRL’s handling of the situation, describing their burial of the Schedule 1 animal without notifying proper authorities as a “blunder.” While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, preliminary findings suggest the elephant may have been electrocuted after biting into a live armored cable or encountering a cable leakage. The incident has sparked outrage among environmental activists and animal lovers, with some calling for the arrest of those responsible for the alleged negligence that led to the elephant’s demise.
NRL spokesperson Madhuchanda Adhikari acknowledged the regrettable nature of the event but denied any attempt at a cover-up. According to Adhikari, the decision to bury the carcass was made due to concerns about a nearby elephant herd potentially causing disruption. The refinery has pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. As the probe continues, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that appropriate action will be taken in accordance with wildlife protection laws, underscoring the seriousness with which the state government views this incident.
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