THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nine cases of elephant poaching have been reported in the last three years in Kerala, according to state forest minister Binoy Viswam.
In all, 23 persons were arrested and seven others had surrendered in connection with these case, Viswam informed the state assembly in a written reply.
Steps to check poaching and ensure safe movement of jumbos in the four elephant reserves in the state had been taken. They included creation of elephant passages, protection of water sources and building of check dams in forests to ensure availability of water for the animals, the minister said.
A recent bird survey across the state had put 31 avian species as endangered, he said.
During the survey, some new varieties of birds, which were not found earlier in forests and other avian environs in the state, had been sighted. They included 'lesser fishing eagle', 'large hawk cockoo', 'broad billed rovers' and 'forest eagle owl', Viswam said.
