Maneka Gandhi calls for urgent measures to arrest elephant deaths in Odisha

New Delhi: Expressing “grief and horror” at the recent electrocution of
seven elephants in Odisha, Union women and child development minister

Maneka Gandhi has written to Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik to
intervene with “urgent and resolute measures to arrest elephant deaths” in the state.

Gandhi goes on to say that the recent electrocution of seven tuskers in
Dhenkanal, which is the highest such death-toll in a single incident, has
caused furore throughout the nation about the reprehensible state of elephant protection in Odisha.

The WCD minister points that this comes at the back of dismal statistics
wherein it is learned over 435 elephants have died in the state since 2011-17, out of which 124 or a whopping 28 percent
casualties have taken place due to accidents and electrocution. “It is tragic to note that a dozen magnificent pachyderms are
dying every year due to mismanagement and incoordination between government agencies,” Gandhi added “What is more disappointing is that this alarming trend of preventable elephant deaths in Odisha has continued unabated even
after the AK Biswal committee established by the ministry of environment and forests, in 2010, had laid down clear guidelines for mandatory protection system, regular inspection of electrical distribution networks by the electrical inspectorate and forest department officials,” she has pointed out in the letter.

“In a case of morbid déjà vu, the committee had also reprimanded four power distribution companies for not maintaining adequate pole to pole distance, thus causing sagging and non-maintenance of conductor height in forest and village areas – the same blunder which claimed the life of seven elephants in Dhenkanal last month,” Gandhi has stated.

She goes on to point that “it is clear from the current state of affairs that the AK Biswal committee recommendations have not been followed and there are rampant reports of distribution companies being given a free hand in elephant corridors without necessary oversight.” She has urged the Odisha CM to take necessary action against the officials who failed to put the AK Biswal committee recommendations in to practice in the state.

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