AFJAL BAIG AND ORS. Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) "The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book -

(2.) ELEPHANTS are considered to be nature's unique masterpiece. People of our country worship the elephants as a form of Lord Ganesha. It is really bizarre that due to destruction of dense tropical forests which are the lungs of our planet and suitable habitat of these incredible animals, they are deprived of their foods and water resources. Even though the elephant Census Report 2015 of Odisha released on 29.06.2015 indicates that population of elephants in Odisha increased from 1930 (recorded 2012 Census) to 1954 (recorded in 2015) but still large scale poaching of elephants in an organised manner mainly for ivory trade is causing an alarming situation. Such activity is no less than a violent and brutal crime.

(3.) ON 15.10.2014 one Santosh Joshi, Divisional Forest Officer, Sambalpur Forest Division lodged a First Information Report before the Superintendent of Police, CID, CB, Odisha, Cuttack stating therein that an information was received on 25.07.2014 by the Range Officer, Padiabahal Forest Range and Forester, Badasahir Section that a wild male elephant was found dead in Kendrapat Reserve Forest near Dudkakud village of Padiabahal Range. On verification, a wild male elephant was found lying dead below the boundary line of Kendrapat Reserve Forest on 25.07.2014 and both the tusks were found cut and removed. The carcass of the elephant was seized and U.D. Case No. 06 of 2014 -15 was registered by Sri Ramesh Chandra Padhi, Forester of Badasahir Section.