Elephants an 'election issue'

2004-04-17 11:40

New Delhi - It isn't lack of water, roads and electricity, but recurring wild elephant attacks that are the main election issue in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, local media reported on Saturday.

Over the past decade villages around state capital Bhubaneshwar have been devastated by rampaging herds of wild elephants, which have killed villagers, damaged houses and destroyed acres of precious crop.

The attacks have become more frequent as people continue to encroach on land meant only for the animals.

In villages in nearby Jharkhand state tuskers get out of control so often that people have built permanent homes on trees. Many of the animals are attracted to a potent rice and jaggery brew the tribals make.

Political parties have been quick to cash in on the problem. The Congress Party has promised better metal fencing and trenches around Orissa's Chandaka wildlife sanctuary from where the elephants come.

Other regional parties like the Biju Janata Dal have assured villagers they would make elephant trespassing a big issue in parliament if elected, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.

Parliamentary elections are due to be held in five phases between April 20 and May 10. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA