Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government Monday said it would convene a meeting of Forest ministers of southern states next month to tackle the increasing incidents of elephant poaching for ivory in forests in these states.
Minister for Forest Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told the assembly during question hour today that discussions would be held with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, after which the meeting would be convened in the first week of next month.
The meeting would discuss ways to intensify combing operations and anti-poaching drive, Radhakrishnan said.
He said a team of 240 forest officers are currently investigating incidents of poaching in the state.
The carcasses of five elephants with their tusks removed were found in Malayatoor forest in the state last week.
