Kolkata:
West Bengal is considering a hugely successful South African birth control method to control the elephant population in the state in face of growing human-elephant conflict.
"We are seriously considering the proposal to start immuno-contraception in north Bengal where the numbers have gone up since 1980s from around 150 to over 500," principal chief conservator of forests and head of forest force N.C. Bahuguna told IANS.
"The birth control measure involves darting a female that makes her infertile for a year. The process can thereafter be repeated," Bahuguna said, adding that concrete plans will be chalked out by the year-end.
Immuno-contraception uses the body's immune response system to prevent pregnancy and has been applied to stabilise the elephant population in South African wildlife reserves.
On an average, 75 people are crushed to death in trampling incidents every year.
In 2011-2012, 67 people were killed by elephants in Bengal, as per official estimates. In the last 10 years, over 50 elephants have been mowed down by speeding trains. Fragmentation of habitat, including construction activities, and increase in number of the pachyderms in northern West Bengal have exacerbated the HEC in the last decade.
Of West Bengal's 11, 879 sq km of forest area, more than a third - over 4,200 sq km - is a designated elephant habitat.
Renowned animal conservationist Belinda Wright said the proposal should be thoroughly backed by data and technical support.
"It needs a lot of thinking and planning because elephants are endangered. Proper trials and studies should first be conducted," Wright stated.