Sagging power lines still posing threat to jumbos
   Date :08-Jan-2020

Sagging power lines still
 
 
By Roshan Chachane :
 
RAIPUR
 
Another elephant electrocuted at Gaura 
 
As one more elephant was electrocuted in Surajpur, the issue of sagging high-tension power distribution lines passing through jungles and electric traps used in the fields has once again come to the forefront. However even after Principal Chief Conservator (PCCF) Wildlife’s letters, there seems to be response from the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) in rectification of sagging power lines or other technical issues causing the electrocution of animals. PCCF (Wildlife) Atul Shukla, in a letter dated June 27, 2019, had cited a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEFF) order that CSPDCL was accountable for deaths of elephants by Sagging Electricity Line (SEL). Even the High Court of Chhattisgarh had directed for taking strong steps to prevent elephant deaths.
 
The Court directed to increase the height of power lines from 5.5 meters to 7.5 meters and to replace the bare conductors with covered conductors.PCCF Wildlife Atul Kumar Shukla asked for the rectification and re-erection of all faulty lines in the forest and wildlife areas and to bear the expenses of Rs 1,674 crore for the same. The Power Company was also asked to act appropriately in cases of power theft through hooking in forest areas, fencing of transformers, fixing of sagging wires and make sure the current doesn’t run through electric poles.
 
Furthermore, PCCF Wildlife had even ordered the Chief Conservators Wildlife, Regional Directors and CCF (Regional), CF Wildlife and Regional Director Elephant Reserve Surguja, all the DFOs and all the Directors of National Parks and Superintendents of Sanctuaries, citing a case of elephant death by electrocution in Odisha, to put up Court Challan against the Power Company, and against the person on whose land the dead animal was found and the owner of revenue land over which the hooking has been done and to indict them in the death of animal.
 
In the latest incident at village Gaura of Dharampur in Pratappur Forest Range, a farmer set the electric trap to take revenge on elephant for killing his wife and breaking the motor-pump at his farmland despite getting monetary compensation for his loss. However, Forest Department seems to be helpless when it comes to dealing with Power Company as both are State Government’s Department. In another letter (November 2019) to Chhattisgarh State Power Department Secretary,