Joint committees of officials of forest department and power distribution company SOUTHCO would be formed to curb deaths of wild elephants due to electrocution in four districts of south Odisha.
This was decided on Tuesday at a joint meeting of the forest department and SOUTHCO authorities in Berhampur. This meeting was chaired by regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) Jitendra Kumar and was attended by authorities of the power distribution company, divisional forest officers (DFO) of Berhampur, North Ghumusar, South Ghumusar, Phulbani, Baliguda, Boudh and Paralakhemundi. These forest divisions are located in Ganjam, Kandhamal, Boudh and Gajapati districts.
Speaking to newsmen, RCCF Mr Kumar said with emphasis on rural electrification, danger of electrocution of wild elephants has increased as the high voltage power cables pass through forests. At times, elephants come in contact with the low hanging high voltage power supply cables, said the RCCF.