General Studies · Passage and Conclusion

Read the passage carefully and judge the given statement based on it. The strong olfactory sense elephants are known for has come as a blessing in disguise for the police in curbing illicit liquor trade in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district. They are used to detect the substance called lahan, the substance used for brewing liquor, hidden in forests of Khatima in the district, and destroy them. Manufacturers brew it near nullahs and forests, and they bury it near the villages to avoid police raids as flowing water is required for fermentation. Lahan is sealed in barrels or polythene bags and buried for four to five days for fermentation. Elephants reach the spot by smelling the substance and destroy the barrels to consume the substance, causing heavy loss to the manufacturers, said Yogesh Upadhaya, inspector, Khatima police station. He said some traders keep the barrels on scaffoldings on trees but they are easily spotted by elephants. 'Miscreants keep them away from elephants. Elephants find them and destroy the barrels to consume the substance, causing heavy loss to the manufacturers,' he added. It is sold for Rs 80 to 100 per litre in villages. Since it is cheaper than liquor available in the market, people buy it even after knowing its impact on health. Statement: Lahan is one of the costliest liquor that is available.