July 7, 2015
To,
Hon'ble Shri. Prakash Javadekar
MOS (IC) Environment, Forests and Climate Change
New Paryavaran Bhawan (4th floor)
Jor Bagh
New Delhi 110003.
Subject: Evidence of large scale elephant poaching in Kerala.
Honourable Minister,
Recent news reports in the Malyalam language newspaper Manorama, have highlighted that elephant poaching is rampant in the state of Kerala. It is reported that the Forest Department has estimated that at least 28 elephants were killed in the Vazhachal, Athirappally forest area over the past few months. Additionally the body parts of five poached elephants were unearthed in these forests by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Surendra Kumar. These tragic facts came to light in the wake of a confession by an erstwhile forest watcher Kalarikudiyil Kunjumon who claims to have accompanied an elephant poaching gang as a cook. Mr. Kunjumon informed forest officials that the poaching gang camped inside the Vazhachal Forest Division and killed elephants for their tusks. It is reported that he shared information, including the mobile numbers of the poachers, with the forest department. One suspected poacher has been arrested in the matter and the forest department has suspended three officials in relation to the case.
The Asian elephant is recognized as India's National Heritage Animal, is categorized as endangered by the IUCN Redlist, and is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). It is thus afforded the highest level of protection, at par with the tiger, granted to any wild species. However, male elephants are targeted by organized poaching syndicates for their tusks that fetch a high price in the illegal wildlife market. There has been a national and international ban on the trade of ivory for several decades, and in a 1997 ruling, the High Court proclaimed that “No citizen has the fundamental right to trade in ivory or ivory articles, whether indigenous or imported."
The scale of elephant poaching that has been reported is a matter of grave worry for concerned citizens of India. In the interest of the country's natural heritage, and law and order, we impress upon you the urgent need to look into the matter and take immediate corrective action. India is home to over half the world's Asian elephant population, but if poaching continues apace this may soon cease to be the case.
We look forward to positive response detailing the steps of action that will be taken by your esteemed ministry at the very earliest.
Yours truly,
Lakshmy Raman - Executive Editor
Anirudh Nair - Assistant Editor
Purva Variyar - Assistant Editor
Cara Tejpal - Assistant Editor
(For Sanctuary Asia)
