In his first public function in his constituency Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the 17th instalment of PM-Kisan on June 18. However, while this may serve as a boon for farmers, the Karnataka High Court has taken notice of the recent electrocution of 35 elephants in the state and has accused authorities of negligence. The court has also raised questions on the steps being taken to protect elephants and other wildlife, and has summoned the Union, state, and senior officials of the forest department to answer to the matter.
Karnataka: Deaths of Elephants, PM-Kisan Instalment, and Environmental Concerns
Karnataka has recently witnessed a distressing incident involving the electrocution of 35 elephants, highlighting the state's ongoing challenges in protecting wildlife.
Elephant Electrocution Incident:
On June 11, 2022, a herd of elephants came into contact with an illegal electric fence in the Nagarahole National Park, leading to their death. The incident shocked the nation and raised serious questions about the authorities' negligence in preventing such tragedies.
The Karnataka High Court has taken cognizance of the matter and has summoned senior officials of the forest department to explain the steps being taken to protect elephants and other wildlife. The court has also raised concerns about the rampant use of electric fences and the lack of proper mitigation measures.
PM-Kisan Instalment:
In a separate development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to release the 17th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme on June 18 in Varanasi. This scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 per year to eligible farmers in three equal instalments.
The release of this instalment is expected to benefit over 100 million farmers across the country, providing them with much-needed support for their agricultural operations.
Background on Elephant Conservation:
Karnataka is home to a significant population of Asian elephants, particularly in its southern and western regions. However, their habitat is under increasing pressure from human activities such as deforestation, fragmentation, and poaching.
The use of electric fences has become a major threat to elephants, particularly in agricultural areas where farmers often illegally erect these fences to protect their crops. Such fences can be deadly if elephants come into contact with them.
Environmental Concerns:
The electrocution of elephants is not an isolated incident in Karnataka. In recent years, there have been several other cases of wildlife deaths due to electric fences, road accidents, and human-wildlife conflict.
These incidents highlight the need for urgent action to address environmental concerns and protect biodiversity in the state. The Karnataka High Court's intervention in the elephant electrocution case is a positive step towards holding authorities accountable and demanding improved protection measures for wildlife.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q1. Why did the elephants get electrocuted in Karnataka? A1. The elephants came into contact with an illegal electric fence in the Nagarahole National Park.
Q2. What is the PM-Kisan scheme? A2. The PM-Kisan scheme provides financial assistance to eligible farmers in India.
Q3. When will the 17th instalment of PM-Kisan be released? A3. The 17th instalment of PM-Kisan will be released on June 18, 2022.
Q4. What are the major threats to elephants in Karnataka? A4. Deforestation, fragmentation, poaching, and electric fences are major threats to elephants in Karnataka.
Q5. What is the Karnataka High Court doing in response to the elephant electrocution incident? A5. The Karnataka High Court has summoned senior officials of the forest department to answer questions about the steps being taken to protect elephants and other wildlife.
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