Udhagamandalam: Illegal gold mining in Goldmines RL (Reserve Land) Pandalur Range The forests in Gudalur division are claiming the lives of the wild animals of the area.
A six-month-old body of a tusker was found during routine patrolling by forest field staff in a 30-foot pit in Goldmines RL area on Saturday. However, both teeth were intact.
A few days ago, a one-month-old elephant calf was rescued from a gold mining pit in the same RL area. The calf, later, was reunited with its nursing herd.
A preliminary postmortem report suggested that the elephant carcass was about six months old and the animal was around 10-12 years old. According to Forest Range Officer Prasad Ganesan, the elephant fell into the pit while walking.
“We have registered a case in this regard under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 citing reasons for illegal mining and hunting. An investigation is underway.”
According to the official, people from nearby villages such as Devla, Pandalur and Nadugani are allegedly indulging in illegal gold mining in the RL area. It is also alleged that people from the border areas of Kerala are involved in illegal activities.
Shekhar Kumar Neeraj, the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, told TOI, “Goldmines RL areas are located close to the reserve forest area. Land falling under corridors or areas with movement of wild animals can be judiciously prohibited from mining of any kind.
He said that these incidents are examples of frequent movement of wild elephants in Goldmines RL areas. The Goldmine RL area, which extends to over 600 hectares, was once attempted for gold mining during the British period. Several mining pits at that location are more than 50 years old. New mining pits are also found.
Under Section 53 of the Gudalur Janmam Estate (Abolition and Change in Ryotwari) Act 1969, Goldmining RL areas have been declared as Reserved Forests. But the process under Section 16A of the Forest Act is still going on,” said Neeraj.
He said, “To save wild animals from falling into mining pits, we are working on mitigation strategies. For the time being, as a relief measure, large mining pits will be cordoned off, while smaller mining pits will be filled with soil.
A six-month-old body of a tusker was found during routine patrolling by forest field staff in a 30-foot pit in Goldmines RL area on Saturday. However, both teeth were intact.
A few days ago, a one-month-old elephant calf was rescued from a gold mining pit in the same RL area. The calf, later, was reunited with its nursing herd.
A preliminary postmortem report suggested that the elephant carcass was about six months old and the animal was around 10-12 years old. According to Forest Range Officer Prasad Ganesan, the elephant fell into the pit while walking.
“We have registered a case in this regard under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 citing reasons for illegal mining and hunting. An investigation is underway.”
According to the official, people from nearby villages such as Devla, Pandalur and Nadugani are allegedly indulging in illegal gold mining in the RL area. It is also alleged that people from the border areas of Kerala are involved in illegal activities.
Shekhar Kumar Neeraj, the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, told TOI, “Goldmines RL areas are located close to the reserve forest area. Land falling under corridors or areas with movement of wild animals can be judiciously prohibited from mining of any kind.
He said that these incidents are examples of frequent movement of wild elephants in Goldmines RL areas. The Goldmine RL area, which extends to over 600 hectares, was once attempted for gold mining during the British period. Several mining pits at that location are more than 50 years old. New mining pits are also found.
Under Section 53 of the Gudalur Janmam Estate (Abolition and Change in Ryotwari) Act 1969, Goldmining RL areas have been declared as Reserved Forests. But the process under Section 16A of the Forest Act is still going on,” said Neeraj.
He said, “To save wild animals from falling into mining pits, we are working on mitigation strategies. For the time being, as a relief measure, large mining pits will be cordoned off, while smaller mining pits will be filled with soil.
.