Odisha Govt Steps Up Measures To Prevent Elephant Deaths

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the electrocution of seven elephants near Kamalanga village under the Sadar Forest Range in Dhenkanal district on the night of October 27, the Odisha government has stepped up measures to avoid a recurrence.

Informing the media on Sunday, Energy minister Susanta Singh said a special officer in the rank of the sub-divisional officer (SDO) of the Energy department would remain in charge of each district to monitor the movement of elephants and take necessary steps to lift high-tension wires hanging low in a accordance with the guidelines of the Forest and Environment Ministry.

“The entire process of raising low-lying high tension wire would be completed in a month,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that a day after the electrocution of seven elephants, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed the Crime Branch to probe  the incident. The state investigating agency, during its investigation had arrested Junior Engineer, Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) Sanjay Mohanty, forester of Meramandali section Pravakar Rana and forest guard of Meramandali foreste beat house Girish Dehury.