The forest department has removed electrified GI wire traps laid in crop fields on the Jhenaigati border in Sherpur to stop the movement of wild elephants.

The operation was carried out on Tuesday afternoon (7 April) in Panbar mauza of the Tawakocha beat under Rangtia range.

Forest department sources said some local people had strung GI wire around maize and paddy fields in the hill area and connected it to electricity to protect the crops from wild elephants, seriously obstructing the elephants' normal movement. On receiving the information, a forest team led by Tawakocha beat officer Fahim Muntasir went to the spot, disconnected the power lines around the fields and gave those involved a stern warning. An awareness discussion was then held with local residents on the message that "elephants are the country's asset and this forest belongs to them alone".

Jihad Mia, joint convener in Sherpur of Save the Wildlife and Nature (SWAN), said these areas were deep forest even 30-40 years ago. Forest grabbers gradually moved in and settled, and now they are using electric traps to drive away wildlife. "How are those illegally living on forest land getting electricity connections? The power department must look into that," he said.

Beat officer Fahim Muntasir said such electric traps were used to kill elephants. "These traps are extremely dangerous and using them is a punishable offence. They put not only wildlife but human lives at risk. We are carrying out regular drives, and such operations and awareness campaigns will continue," he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.