Power lines to be raised for elephant safety in forest areas
Power lines to be raised for elephant safety in forest areas
Daily Pioneer
April 4, 2025
See link
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2025/state-editions/power-lines-to-be-raised-for-elephant-safety-in-forest-areas.html
for photo.
In a significant move to enhance wildlife safety, the District
Administration has decided to raise power transmission lines to standard
heights, use insulated cables, and implement wildlife-friendly
infrastructure in forest areas. These measures aim to prevent electrocution
hazards for elephants and other wild animals. A district-level monitoring
committee has been established under the chairmanship of the Deputy
Commissioner, including key officials such as the Senior Superintendent of
Police, Forest Division Officer, Sub-Divisional Officer, and Executive
Engineer of the Electricity Department.
To ensure strict implementation, the state government has formed a
district-level monitoring committee, which will oversee the progress and
execution of the safety measures. The committee, led by the Deputy
Commissioner, includes representatives from key departments responsible for
wildlife conservation and power management. The committee will meet monthly
to review progress and address any challenges in execution.
The Electricity Department has been instructed to promptly raise
transmission lines in forested regions and adopt insulated cables where
required. This is essential in reducing fatal encounters between elephants
and power infrastructure. Executive Engineers from Jamshedpur, Mango, and
Ghatsila Electricity Divisions have been assigned to identify critical
areas and execute the necessary modifications at the earliest.
Additionally, the department has been asked to conduct regular inspections
to assess the integrity of existing transmission lines and take preventive
measures in areas where wildlife movements are frequent. Adequate budget
allocations will be made to facilitate these upgrades efficiently.
The District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal emphasized
the need for coordinated action between the Forest and Electricity
Departments to ensure the successful implementation of these measures.
Forest Divisional Officer Saba Alam Ansari, Sub-Divisional Officer
Dhalbhum Shatabdi Majumdar, Rural SP Rishabh Garg, ADC Bhagirath Prasad,
and other concerned officials were part of the discussions.
The Forest Department has been tasked with mapping high-risk zones where
elephants frequently migrate and providing necessary inputs to the
Electricity Department. This information will be used to strategically
raise transmission lines and reduce risk areas. Awareness campaigns will
also be conducted for local communities to ensure they report any hazardous
power lines in their vicinity.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to wildlife conservation, the
meeting concluded with a comprehensive action plan that includes:
Installation of insulated cables in high-risk areas. Raising power
transmission lines to ensure elephants and other wildlife can pass safely.
Strengthening coordination between the Forest and Electricity Departments
for quick resolution of concerns. Implementing early warning systems to
monitor and prevent wildlife accidents.
Conducting awareness programs to educate locals on reporting potential
dangers to authorities.
The state government has also committed to providing funds for these
critical safety measures. The District Administration has pledged to
conduct periodic reviews and maintain strict surveillance over the progress
of these initiatives. By implementing these proactive measures, the
district aims to set a benchmark for wildlife-friendly power
infrastructure, ensuring the safety of both wild animals and local
communities.