Bhubaneswar: The Forest department Saturday blamed the Energy department for the death of seven elephants by electrocution in Meramundali section of Dhenakanal Range of Dhenkanal Division Friday.
On the other hand, Energy department secretary Hemanta Sharma said an investigation team had been sent to the site. He said action would be taken based on the finding of the investigation. He also said the transmission line in question was a temporary one drawn to provide power to an ongoing railway project in the area.
In a press note issued hours after the tragedy, the Principal CCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden attributed it to non-rectification of sagging lines and non-cabling of transmission lines.
The release cited the coordination meeting held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Forest & Environment Department, March 29 wherein it was decided that new electric transmission lines going through the elephant movement area should be invariably insulated and the older ones replaced in phases.
Accordingly, different DFOs of the state submitted the lists of transmission lines passing through vulnerable locations to the office of the Principal CCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden for forwarding to Energy department in two phases, the release said. The DFO, Dhenkanal, had mentioned a stretch of 136.57 kms of LT lines passing through the vulnerable areas for cabling.
In a coordination meeting held September 24 with the Energy department under the leadership of PCCF (WL) & CWW, the CESU official informed that the cabling of transmission line was yet to be taken up in Dhenkanal Division of Angul Circle although the lists of transmission lines for cabling were submitted to the Energy department 6 months back, the release added.
In the instant case, the DFO, Dhenkanal had informed EE, CESU vide his letter (No.10139 of November 22, 2017) to rectify the sagging transmission line of 11 KV from Kamalanga to Kaliataila of Meramundali section of Dhenkanal Range. The DFO, Dhenkanal, had also submitted the proposal for cabling of transmission line in the Kamalanga area.
“Due to non-rectification of sagging lines and non-cabling of transmission lines, the accident has occurred claiming the lives of seven elephants in Meramundali sections of Dhenakanal Range of Dhenkanal Division,” the release said.
Bijayshree Routray Forest and Environment Minister about the incident: https://youtu.be/4zlPYwFEhbI
PNN