Jumbos are eating plastic at Nilakkal

Kottayam: Plastic waste has posed a huge threat to the wild elephants in the forests near Sabarimala. The forest authorities have found that at least 30 wild elephants have consumed plastic from the waste dumping pit at the Sabarimala base camp at Nilakal.

According to assistant forest veterinary officer Dr Abdul Fathah, who is in charge of the west division of the Periyar Tiger Reserve(PTR), a herd of 30 elephants used to visit the waste dumping pit at Nilakkal and consume the waste materials. The dung found nearby confirmed the presence of the plastic materials in the excreta.

“This is dangerous since the plastic that remains in the stomach can kill the elephants. The Trav-ancore Devaswom Board should fully implement the plastic ban imposed by the High Court,” Dr Abdul Fathah told DC.

A circular issued by chief wildlife warden P.K. Keshavan has imposed heavy fine on shops dispensing plastic in any form. The circular had asked the TDB to strictly implement the plastic ban at Nilakkal, Pampa and Sannidhanam.

The High Court in its order on July 23 had also banned plastic at Sabarimala.

A cow elephant died in February this year after consuming plastic waste. The carcass was found at Valianavattom, hardly two km from Pampa, and plastic waste was found in the lesions of the elephant.