HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Oct 1: Tension prevails in the Margherita subdivision as a wild elephant calf is now battling for life due to the lack of responsibility shown by forest department officials and other staff.
For the past five days, the calf has been fighting for life in the Upper Dehing forest reserve area of Laobasti, which falls under the Lekhajan forest beat office of Margherita West Range, Digboi Forest Division.
Despite witnessing this tragic situation, the officials of Digboi Forest Division and the Margherita West Range forest officer did not take appropriate steps, which is why the calf is struggling to survive.
Local residents of the area allege that forest department officials and other staff took no proper measures for the calf’s treatment, merely administering saline and then neglecting their responsibility.
In the absence of proper medical treatment, it is a tragic sight as the elephant calf is now on the verge of death.
Concerned locals have demanded that the state government and the state Forest minister provide better treatment for the wild elephant at the earliest.
Bijay Tanti, ATTSA leader and social activist of Margherita, stated that due to rampant deforestation of precious trees in the Upper Dehing forest reserve area, wild animals are forced into residential areas in search of food. He believes this calf may have lost its family and is now fighting for survival. He urged the Digboi divisional forest officer and other senior forest department officials to immediately take the elephant calf to a veterinary hospital to save its life.
