Forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya takes stock of 18 elephants killed in Assam

GUWAHATI: Parimal Suklabaidya, Assam Forest & Environment Minister, has visited the spot of Bamuni hills in Nagaon district today to take stock of the incident where 18 wild elephants have found dead on Thursday afternoon.

As per the preliminary investigation in to the matter, it was revealed that the wild elephants must had been victims of lightning strikes on Wednesday night.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma showed concern over the matter and asked Suklabaidya to visit the site yesterday itself after the carcasses of the elephants found.

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A forest official had informed that the area was very remote and a forest team could reach the spot on Thursday afternoon though the incident took place in the Tuesday night itself.

KK Deori, Deputy Conservator of Forest, had been appointed as inquiry officer to probe into the incident accompanied by a team of veterinarians.

Former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal had also condoled the incident and said in a tweet last night, "The death of 20 wild elephants due to lightning at Tapatjuri Hill at Barhampur, Nagaon is unfortunate. It is an immense loss to Assam's wildlife and biodiversity."

A post-mortem to be carried out by today itself, after which the exact reason of the incident will be known.

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