Maharashtra: Rogue tusker CME3 seen in Gadchiroli, sparks concerns

A Rogue tusker, CME3 (name give to tusker), that had crossed from Chhattisgarh into Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra earlier this month with another elephant, was sighted roaming the streets of Gadchiroli city on Saturday night. Experts say that the Maharashtra Forest Department needs to monitor the situation to avoid potential conflicts between elephants and humans.

Sagnik Sengupta, co-founder of the NGO Stripes and Green Earth (SAGE) Foundation, said, “Mistakes are meant for learning, not for repeating, but Gadchiroli and Wadsa Division seem to be repeating the mistakes. Even after knowing what CME3 did last year and what havoc CME3 can create, things are not taken seriously. It is very unfortunate for us to see how the elephants are being handled; the herd’s movement is constantly restricted on the one hand, and there is a lack of monitoring on the part of CME3. Last night’s video of CME3 with another tusker strolling within Gadchiroli town is an example of conservation needs for the emerging era of bioeconomy.” Sengupta said that since 2022, he had been telling the forest department to initiate a human-elephant conflict mitigation strategy for Vidarbha by formulating a “holistic Elephant Conservation Plan”, but all the proposals are yet to take off, and only blocking and restriction of movement are being done.

Approximately 35-year-old, CME3 is infamous for its violent encounters with humans. On November 11, 2023, the tusker was involved in the tragic death of a farmer in Gariaband district.

Sengupta had proposed measures like implementing a long-term mitigation plan featuring monitoring, bio-fencing, and an early warning system. Local authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of both the community and the wildlife as they navigate this complex issue.