3 Sep 2019


BHUBANESWAR: The threat of electrocution in elephant-rich Dhenkanal district still looms large as there are several sagging power lines dangling dangerously. This is the state of affairs despite the fact that seven elephants were electrocuted in Kamalanga forest area in November 2018 in the district due to sagging live wires.

There are at least 100 locations, where sagging of wires has been detected. The Wildlife Society of Odisha (WSO), which works in the area, had surveyed and found that sagging wires are yet to be fixed. “The threat of pachyderms encountering sagging live wires is still very much there. The electric poles, the elephants rub while roaming the forest, are yet to have steel spikes around them. In the absence of spikes, the poles are likely to fall on the elephants while rubbing causing electrocution,” said WSO secretary Biswajit Mohanty.

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