India, Jan. 17 -- Environment ministry suggests official team to collect biological samples, dispose infected carcasses safely and map anthrax hotspots

An official team to oversee safe disposal of elephant carcasses infected with anthrax as well as a map of anthrax hotspots are some of the steps recommended in a new standard operating procedure (SOP) formulated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

The overall authority responsible at the state level under the SOP's provisions will be the chief wildlife warden, in accordance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Under him, field directors in case of tiger reserves, protected area managers in case of national parks or wildlife sanctuaries and wil...