Bengal Burns "White Gold": 270kg of Ivory Destroyed in Anti-Poaching Message
Forest Department incinerates years-old stockpile in first of multiple destruction initiatives
Bengal Takes a Crack at "White Gold": 270kg of Ivory Burns in Anti-Poaching Push
Bankura, West Bengal: In a stark message against the nefarious ivory trade, the Bengal forest department commenced the burning of 53 ivory pieces, weighing a staggering 270kg, on Tuesday. This marks the first phase of a larger initiative to destroy the "white gold" stockpiled in its custody for years.
The move comes at the behest of the Central government, which recently issued guidelines for the proper disposal of such "animal articles." With this decisive action, Bengal aims to send a powerful message against elephant poaching and disrupt the illegal black market that fuels this gruesome practice.
"We have tons of ivory accumulated in various forest offices across Bengal," revealed a senior forest officer in Calcutta. "This inaction has persisted for at least 15 years, but not anymore. We've begun the process in Bankura, and other divisions with ivory will follow suit."
Debal Ray, Bengal's Chief Wildlife Warden, confirmed the formation of special committees in each circle holding ivory stocks, ensuring a meticulous and transparent destruction process.
"The incineration of tusks started in Bankura today, and committees are already in place for other circles," Ray stated.
Recognizing the lengthy nature of ivory incineration, forest officials opted for a private factory's incinerator in Bankura's Barjora to expedite the process.
"Thoroughly destroying ivory through burning can take over 50 hours. That's why we're leveraging this factory's incinerator, equipped to handle bio-medical waste and chemicals," explained a senior forester involved in the operation.
Beginning at 12.30pm on Tuesday, the process continued well into the evening. "With 30% still remaining at 7.30pm, we might consider pulverizing the pieces for faster burning if needed," the forester added.
The 53 pieces being incinerated in Bankura belonged to three forest divisions within the district. A dedicated committee, including divisional forest officers and the chief conservator of forests, meticulously deliberated on the destruction protocol.
Interestingly, most of the tusks being burnt originated from elephants found deceased across various areas. The largest tusk incinerated on Tuesday weighed a remarkable 28kg.
"Our division alone had 35 tusks in storage for years," declared Umar Imam, Bankura North's DFO.
Ivory's exorbitant black market value often fuels its illegal trade, with a single kilogram fetching between Rs 6-8 lakh. The forest department regularly busts poaching rackets that exploit these majestic creatures for their prized tusks.
Once the incineration concludes, the remaining ashes will be meticulously collected and disposed of to prevent any misuse. "We plan to mix the ashes with cement and create artefacts," disclosed a forester, showcasing the department's commitment to eco-friendly disposal.
