Dispur, May 14: Minister for Environment and Forest, Parimal Suklabaidya ordered an enquiry into the death of 18 elephants at Bamuni Pahar under Kothiatuli forest range in Nagaon district. The pachyderms died on Wednesday night.
Minister Suklabaidya accompanied by PCCF (Hoff), Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest, a team of veterinarians and wildlife specialists reached the site of the incident on Friday morning to take stock of the situation. An enquiry committee headed by Deputy Conservator of Forest, KK Deori and consisting of a seven-member team of veterinarians has been instituted, the preliminary report of which will be submitted within three days and a detailed investigation report within 15 days.
After assessing the situation with the top forest officials, Minister Suklabaidya said from the preliminary investigation it was revealed that the pachyderms have died probably due to lightning as there was no visible signs of struggle before they died but the exact reason for their tragic death will come out into the open following the submission of the post mortem report as well as the inquiry report.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Dr.Himanta Biswa Sarma directed Minister Suklabaidya to visit the spot to assess the situation.
"Visited the elephants' death incident spot near Bamuni Pahar, Nagaon to assess on-the-spot scenario and pay my tributes to the Nature's precious assets," tweeted Suklabaidya.
