Spice Attack

Spices have been used historically for many reasons including for killing and preventing bacterial growth. But for the first time wildlife experts in Northern India are using chili powder to drive away elephants. The chili powder used is ghost chili which is certified as the world’s hottest chili by the Guinness Book of World records. This new weapon is used to prevent marauding elephants from destroying homes, crops and trampling of villagers in North India. These increased attacks on human settlements by elephants are due to the human encroachment on their natural habitat. Over the time period of 1996 to 2000 over 691, 880 acres of de-forestation has occurred. This area which was cleared accounts for the world’s largest concentration of wild Asiatic elephants. Conservationists who are working on this project have put of fences smeared with automobile grease and ghost chili. And they are also using smoke bombs made from chili to keep elephants out from these human settlements. Officials say the strong pungent smell would be enough to repel the elephants and these attacks would not harm the animals.

Posted by: Balkrishna Gantyala (9)