A day after an elephant was found dead in Bheekawala village, the forest department on Saturday filed a complaint against the power department accusing them of not maintaining electricity lines which eventually killed the tusker. Additionally, district forest officer (DFO) Bijnor has sent a letter to officials at the power corporation to get all wires in the area repaired at the earliest.
“We have also filed a complaint against the power corporation at the Afzalgarh police station, alleging negligence,” added Semmaran.
TOI had on Friday quoted forest officials saying that the tusker was among the crop-raiding animals and that they often go to sugarcane fields near villages. There is no low-hanging electricity wire inside the Corbett Park, but this problem persists on the peripheral areas, added the officials.
Talking to TOI, Dharam Singh, a resident of Bheekawala village, said, “We have complained a number of times regarding the loose wires. But, officials don’t replace the poles, but just instal the old broken poles from which the wires are already hangin. This creates problems not just for us but also for animals.”
When TOI contacted superintendent engineer of power corporation, Ranjit Singh, he said, “We will conduct a survey around the borders. If we find any low-lying power lines, it will be fixed. Additionally, we are probing the Bheekawal matter. Those found erring will be dealt with in the strictest manner possible.”