Wild tuskers from CG killed 11 across MP in last 6 yrs: Govt in Assembly

Bhopal: Wild elephants from across the state border, in Chhattisgarh, trampled 11 people to death in Madhya Pradesh over the last six years, the government informed the Assembly, adding that all the fatalities took place in the Anuppur forests.Sharing the extent of the toll that the straying tuskers took on civilian lives, the government informed the House that the killer tuskers also damaged over 210 houses across MP while wrecking farmlands of about 2,900 farmers in Anuppur forest area adjoining Chhattisgarh.The government added that it provided Rs 72 lakh, in compensation cheques, to the next of kin of those who perished in elephant attacks, while also releasing additional funds to cover damages caused to houses and agricultural fields.The figures were shared in response to a question by governing BJP MLA Bisahulal Singh. He sought to know if it was true elephant herds from Chhattisgarh regularly cross over into Anuppur, destroying crops, damaging houses, and even exacting a heavy toll on civilian lives. He also sought details on the number of houses destroyed in the district so far and the extent of crops damaged. He further sought clarity on the number of fatalities in elephant attacks and whether the affected families were compensated.The legislator also asked the government to shed light on whether families and households affected by fatalities, crop and house damage were only partially compensated by the revenue department, and, if so, why they were not provided relief by the forest department."Will the forest dept provide actual compensation to farmers and poor people for losses inflicted by elephants? If yes, by when? If not, why? Is there a provision for proper assessment and payment of compensation by the Forest dept? If yes, why is payment not made? If not, what arrangements will be made for proper compensation? If yes, by when?" the BJP MLA asked.Responding to the queries in the form of a written reply, Chief minister Mohan Yadav said, "Herds of elephants continuously come from the Chhattisgarh side. Most of Anuppur district is adjacent to forest ranges such as Jaithari, Kotma, and Bijuri. When crops and houses are damaged by elephants, action is taken to provide financial assistance through the Revenue dept.""In cases of damage to crops and houses caused by elephants, financial assistance is given as prescribed by the revenue department. In cases of loss of human life, the prescribed compensation amount is provided by the forest dept," the CM stated, adding, "In cases of death caused by wild animals, a compensation amount of Rs 8 lakh is paid to the legal heir of the deceased. If a person dies during treatment after being injured, the actual medical expenses incurred are also paid by the forest dept. Financial assistance for crop and house damage is provided by the revenue dept."