Berhampur: TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) on Wednesday stated that it has launched a comprehensive wildlife protection and anti-poaching drive across forest and crop-field areas of Southern Odisha.
The initiative reinforces TPSODL’s commitment to environmental conservation while ensuring safe and reliable power distribution. Through infrastructure upgrades, joint patrolling, and community engagement, the company is working to safeguard wildlife and forest ecosystems, the company said in a press statement.
Strengthening wildlife safety and preventive measures against illegal poaching, TPSODL has undertaken large-scale upgradation of its electrical infrastructure by replacing bare conductors with insulated conductors, particularly in sensitive zones close to forest areas.
In addition, Distribution Transformer (DTR) fencing is being carried out in forest and forest-fringe areas to prevent accidental contact by wild animals, significantly reducing the risk of electrocution and enhancing overall safety. This critical intervention significantly reduces the risk of accidental electrocution of wild animals and eliminates vulnerabilities that are often misused for illegal activities.
In several rural and forest-adjacent areas, unsafe and illegal electrical practices are sometimes adopted to protect crops from wild animals, often leading to serious accidents. To curb such practices and create safer surroundings, TPSODL has further strengthened its collaboration with the Forest Department through regular joint patrolling. This coordinated approach enables closer monitoring of vulnerable areas, faster response to potential risks, and enhanced awareness among local communities on wildlife protection and electrical safety.
As part of this initiative, TPSODL and the Forest Department conduct regular joint patrols across identified high-risk zones. These patrols not only help prevent illegal electrical hooking and poaching but also act as a strong deterrent through visible inter-departmental coordination. The initiative marks a new level of collaboration between power distribution authorities and forest protection agencies in Southern Odisha.
To ensure systematic implementation and continuous improvement, TPSODL participates in monthly review meetings held alternately with the Divisional Forest Officers of Ghumusar North Division and Ghumusar South Division in Ganjam district. These meetings are attended by senior officials including Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs), TPSODL Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, and Section Heads. The forums are used t
o review joint patrolling reports, assess emerging challenges, and plan future interventions to further strengthen wildlife safety.
The initiative has already begun yielding positive results across multiple locations. Communities in Jagannath Prasad, Tilising, Soroda, Kanteipali, Khetriya Barapur, Belaguntha, and Badagada are now experiencing safer conditions in forest and crop-field zones. In Ganjam district, areas under the Aska region, Hinjilicut, and Seragada blocks have been covered, while joint patrolling and infrastructure improvements have also been extended to Chakapada block in Kandhamal district.
In addition, similar special drives have been conducted in Koraput and Rayagada districts with a focused objective of preventing illegal electrical hooking in and around forest areas. These drives aim to ensure the safety of wildlife as well as local people and forest personnel, especially during intensive field operations. The initiatives also emphasise strengthening inter-departmental coordination through joint enforcement mechanisms and increasing public awareness about the legal consequences of illegal electrical practices.
In both districts, regular coordination meetings have been convened between officials of the Forest Department and TPSODL. Areas including Laxmipur, Kakirigumma, Dashmantpur, and the Gunupur Sub-Division have been covered, contributing to safer forest ecosystems and improved compliance with electrical safety norms.
Alongside enforcement and infrastructure measures, TPSODL is actively conducting extensive awareness programmes in these regions. Community meetings are being organised to sensitise villagers on wildlife conservation and electrical safety. Nukkad Nataks (street plays) are being held in forest-fringe and rural areas to communicate key messages in an engaging and locally relevant manner. In addition, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials are being distributed to promote safe practices, discourage illegal electrical hooking, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for protecting wildlife.
TPSODL is also actively creating awareness through regular posts on its social media platforms in local languages, ensuring the message reaches communities in an easy and relatable manner. These digital outreach efforts focus on wildlife protection, electrical safety, and discouraging illegal practices, encouraging responsible community participation.
Speaking on the initiative, Amit Kumar Garg, Chief Executive Officer, TPSODL, said, ‘At TPSODL, we firmly believe that development must go hand in hand with environmental protection. By shifting from bare to insulated conductors, creating awareness at the community level, and working closely with the Forest Department, we are taking concrete steps to safeguard wildlife in our operational areas. This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to a greener, safer, and more sustainable future for Southern Odisha.’
TPSODL plans to further expand this programme to additional locations across its geographical area.