15 jumbos electrocuted in State since 2009

BHUBANESWAR: “As many as 15 elephants have died in State due to electrocution since 2009,” said Forest and Environment minister Bijayshree Routray while answering a question asked by Keonjhar BJD MLA Subarna Nayak in the assembly on Tuesday. 

Explaining the reasons of the death of the jumbos in the State, the Minister said the wild animals while roaming in the forest areas come in contact with low-hanging power lines and lose their lives. In some places, the electric poles were installed at unsafe distances in the routes of these jumbos left them in trouble as they come in contact with the live wires, said Routray.

The Minister said the State Government is trying to find out a solution taking its own budget as the Central Government didn’t sanction Rs 32 crore for the project to deal with the issue.

On the other hand, Routray’s answer could not satisfy MLA Pratap Sarangi and he staged dharna inside the assembly. He wanted to know the Government’s steps in Nilagiri area of Baleswar district where over hundred elephants from Jharkhand have been creating menace since past 15 days.