Bhanjanagar: The forest department is concerned about protection of elephants in Bhanjanagar area in Ganjam district. Precariously hanging electric wires have caused death of elephants in various parts of the district in the past.
Keeping this in view, forest official held a meeting with the staff of Tata Power here Friday. They discussed various measures to be taken by the power distribution company so that elephants may not face any danger while moving in forested areas.
It was alleged that forest officials working in the field in North Ghumsar and South Ghumsar forest divisions were not serious about the safety of animals as they were not discharging their duties properly.
Given the recent death of an elephant due to electrocution, staff of the power company do not seem to be concerned about safety of elephants. It is often seen that elephants stray into Bhanjanagar town and moving on its outskirts.
On June 7, a tusker came in contact with a hanging wire in north Ghumsar division and died. It was reported that poachers are on the prowl to kill elephants with live wire in both the forest divisions.
Over last few days, forest officials have seized guns from poachers. Such activities have pointed to a possibility of further mishaps. Considering such risk factors, officials of both forest divisions and Tata Power held a coordination meeting at north Ghumsar office.
It was decided that a joint patrolling will be conducted in forests to keep poachers at bay. The company will draw electric wires at safe height so that elephants will not come in contact with wires.
It is said that inadequate patrolling and breakdown of supervision and monitoring by senior officers has made it easy for the poachers to wipe out elephants.
Lack of action against electricity distribution companies had led to multiple electrocution cases by overhead sagging naked wires, electrified fences and wild boar poaching wires.
It was learnt that the company will set right electric infrastructure at 153 places in the two forest divisions.
It may be noted here that the state government has provided Rs 445.75 crore to power distribution companies to prevent elephant deaths to increase the ground clearance of electrical networks and replace bare conductors in elephant corridors and movement areas.
The overhaul is aimed at preventing elephant deaths due to electrocution. According to the energy department, 79,000 interposing poles have been erected and more than 2,300 circuit bare conductors replaced by covered ones.
At a recent meeting with Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, the companies and the forest department have been asked to interact regularly to achieve zero casualties of elephants.
Mohapatra had directed officials to involve the local community in elephant protection and come up with a scheme of rewarding the villagers, who would give information about illegal hooking for poaching wild animals.
He laid emphasis on remaining extremely vigilant during harvest seasons and undertaking regular joint patrolling to prevent illegal hooking in elephant corridors and movement areas.
PNN