Dispur: Assam’s Minister for Environment and Forest Parimal Suklabaidya on Friday ordered an inquiry into the death of 18 elephants at Bamuni Pahar under the Kothiatuli forest range in Nagaon district. The pachyderms died on Wednesday night of suspected electrocution in a lightening strike.
Minister Suklabaidya, accompanied by PCCF (Hoff), Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest, a team of veterinarians and wildlife specialists, reached the site of the incident on Friday morning to take stock of the situation.
An enquiry committee headed by Deputy Conservator of Forest, KK Deori and consisting of a seven-member team of veterinarians has been constituted, the preliminary report of which will be submitted within three days and a detailed investigation report within 15 days.
Also read: 18 elephants killed in lightning strikes in Assam’s Nagaon
After assessing the situation with forest officials, Suklabaidya said that the preliminary investigation revealed that the pachyderms died due to lightning as there were no visible signs of struggle. But the exact reason for their tragic death will come to light following the submission of the post mortem report as well as the inquiry report.
“Visited the elephants’ death incident spot near Bamuni Pahar, Nagaon to assess the on-the-spot scenario and pay my tributes to Nature’s precious assets,” tweeted Suklabaidya.
