THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Dec 12: Low-hanging electricity wires pose potential dangers to wildlife in the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).
There are 50 locations where the overhead electricity wires are hanging too low and loose in the north division of the tiger reserve, said PTR Deputy Director, north division, P K Jena.
“Low-hanging wires are right in the Betla, Kutku, and Chhipadohar east ranges,” added Jena.
Sources said the electricity wires are insulated nevertheless their sagging is an invitational danger to the wildlife here in PTR.
The south division of the tiger reserve is no exception to this problem of low-hanging wire.
Also Read- Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda’s fiat to ensure onion farmers get due prices
Deputy Director Kumar Ashish, south division, PTR said, “The low hanging or sagging electricity wires are most noticeable at Labher, Mundu, Maromaar etc,” he added.
The General manager, electricity, has been apprised of the issue of the low-hanging electricity wires months ago but no tangible result has come up, said P K Jena.
Jena said, “We have sent a copy of our letter regarding faulty electricity lines, sagging lines, sparks etc right from the GM, AE, EE, electricity to the Latehar DC drawing their attention to the correctional measures. We wait for their needful.”
The issue is highly sensitive as only this November 21 and 23 five wild elephants were electrocuted to death at Moosabani and two at Chakuliya in Jharkhand.
It revived the black day of October 27, 2018, when seven wild elephants were electrocuted to death at Kamalanga under Dhenkanal district in Odisha.
Jena said, “My report to the GM, electricity, is straight from the ground. I got this problem surveyed and assessed thrice. It requires immediate attention. I don’t know why there is this inordinate delay on the part of the electricity department in its rectification.”
“We can’t afford to wait for a repeat of what colossal tragedy happened to the wild elephants at Moosabani and Chakuliya. It’s time now to act fast by the electricity department,” said Jena.
Also Read- Amitabh Bachchan launches poster of film on Jharkhand tribal hero Birsa Munda
