Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over frequent elephant deaths in the state, animal rights activist and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi sought personal intervention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to prevent such incidents.
In a letter to Patnaik, Maneka said the electrocution deaths of seven elephants in Dhenkanal district in a single incident October 26, has caused furore across the nation about the reprehensible state of jumbo protection in Odisha.
Stating that 435 elephants had died between 2011 and 2017 of which 124 died due to electrocution, she said, “It is tragic to note that a dozen pachyderms are dying every year due to mismanagement and in-coordination between government agencies.”
Gandhi expressed disappointment over such occurrences even as the Centre had laid down specific guidelines for mandatory protection of animals from power lines on the recommendation of AK Biswal Committee.
“However, going by the number of deaths of the elephants in Odisha of which one-third of the deaths have occurred due to electrocution, it is amply clear that the state government has not implemented the recommendation of the committee in letter and spirit,” Maneka pointed out.
She urged the Chief Minister to urgently intervene in the matter and initiate stern action against the officials for violating the recommendation of the Committee.
“In case of morbid deja vu, the Committee had also reprimanded four power distribution companies (discoms) for not maintaining adequate pole-to-pole distance, thus causing sagging and non-maintenance of conductor height in forest and village areas- the same blunder which claimed the life of seven elephants in Dhenkanal last month,” she pointed out.
Slamming the discoms for not following the recommendations of the panel, the minister urged Naveen to take action against the officials who failed to put the Biswal Committee recommendations into practice in the state.
“The elephants of Odisha are the pride of India, and we owe a debt to our future generations for their welfare and safety. I am hopeful that you will personally oversee the necessary action required for the safety and welfare of elephants in Odisha,” she added.
PNN