Elephant tusks that are in the possession of the State government will now decorate Officers’ Mess and military buildings across the country. Already 12 pairs of tusks from the state have been sent to different military establishments and more are waiting to be procured. The Forest Department will give the tusks to the military on several terms and conditions including that their ownership will remain with the state government and credit must also be given to the state Forest department at the display. The offices of Army and Air Force chiefs in New Delhi have already received two pairs of tusks from the state.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Mr B.K. Singh said that there had been a proposal for burning down the entire wildlife produce available with the state to send out a strong message to poachers. “But it was decided to use the wealth for educational purposes. Hence the decision was taken to allow the tusks for display in military establishments. In future tusks from the state will also be seen at educational institutions. Already a few Indian Institute of Managements have approached us asking for tusks. A decision on this will be taken soon,” Mr Singh explained.
The state has tonnes of elephant tusks which were either seized from poachers or removed from dead tuskers in jungles. Karnataka has one of the highest elephant populations in the country along with Assam, West Bengal and Kerala. But unlike other parts of the country where the animals mainly face threat from poaching, in Karnataka they are often killed by electrocution. “Elephants in the state are under pressure from poaching and conflicts with humans. The display of tusks could narrate the tale why these magnificent animals are hunted down. This will create awareness and provide inspiration to fight to save the mammal before it becomes goes extinct,” said elephant expert Ms Suparna Ganguly.
\However, a section of conservationists feel that the move of the Forest department could trigger more demand for wildlife products in the open market. “We must send a strong signal to poachers by burning wildlife products including ivory. Any wildlife product on display will create demand and everyone will want to own these products,” protested a wildlife expert.