Stop killing of elephants right now

The High Court yesterday directed authorities concerned to immediately take steps to stop the killing of elephants and human intrusion into the animals' corridors, and build awareness among people about the issue.

The court also issued a rule asking authorities to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to issue a gazette notification, declaring the 12 elephant corridors, identified by the forest department and IUCN, in the country as reserved corridors.

In the rule, the court asked respondents to explain why their inaction to prevent elephant killings should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries at the environment and law ministries, chief conservator of forest department, director of wildlife crime control unit, and 16 other government officials have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and

Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order and issued the rule, following a petition filed by wildlife protection activists Adnan Azad, Farzana Yasmin and Khan Fatim Hasan.

They submitted the petition on November 21, as seven elephants were reportedly killed in just eleven days this month.

Deputy Attorney General Bepul Bagmar told The Daily Star that killing elephants is prohibited under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.

Lawyer Khan Khalid Adnan placed arguments on behalf of the petitioners during the hearing.