Bhubaneswar: Following a string of elephant deaths due to electrocution, the state government has asked the power distribution companies (discoms) to disconnect supply during movement of elephants, an official said here Friday.
“Death of elephants due to electrocution in recent times has been a matter of great concern. In this regard, it is requested to disconnect power supply in elephant corridors as well as movement areas in getting credible information from forest department or any reliable sources,” energy special secretary Surajit Das wrote to CEOs of all four discoms.
Das also asked the discoms to restore power supply after safe exit of wildlife from the areas. “This instruction must be followed meticulously and any deviation will be seriously viewed by government,” he warned.
Earlier, the state government had sought certification from officials of both forest and energy departments on non-sagging of electric wires and low height electric poles in the identified elephant corridors and movement area under their jurisdiction. Both the DFOs and electrical executive engineers have been asked to jointly sign the certificate and submit it to government.
Seven wild elephants were killed by electrocution in Dhenkanal district October 27, which resulted in a blame game between the Forest and Environment (F&E) department and Energy department. Two similar incidents were reported from Angul and Mayurbhanj districts.
PNN