New Delhi: Odisha saw the maximum number of elephant deaths due to electrocution in the country during the period between 2009 and 2019.
According to data from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Odisha contributed 117 out off 600 electrocution-caused jumbo deaths in India during the above mentioned decade.
Karnataka occupies second place with 116, followed by Assam with 105, The Indian Express reported.
The three states with zero deaths during that period are – Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.
According to former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest B K Singh, people responsible for electrocution of elephants are not arrested in 75 per cent of the cases.
Also Read: Odisha: Forest Ranger Suspended Over Elephant Deaths In Sambalpur Sarad Range
Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, informed Rajya Sabha that financial and technical assistance are provided to elephant-range states and union territories under the Central-sponsored scheme ‘Project Elephant’ to address various issues concerning protection of jumbos.
“The scheme has also a component for ex-gratia relief in case of human death/injury and damage to property and crop loss. The Ministry had constituted a task force for suggesting eco-friendly measures to mitigate impacts of power transmission lines and other infrastructure on elephants and other wildlife. The states, UTs and power-transmission agencies have been requested to take the necessary steps for compliance of rules and regulations and to maintain minimum ground clearance while laying transmission lines for minimizing death of elephants due to electrocution,” Vaishnav said in response to a question raised by BJP’s Roopa Ganguly.
