The State Government is all set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF), Bangalore with an objective of taking follow-up action for conservation, preservation and development of elephant habitats and corridors as per field requirements.
It was stated in a counter affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by the State Government, in which it denied inaction on its part to contain the death of elephants due to train hits and electrocution. As a leading wildlife activist Sakti P Nayak filed a PIl in the Supreme Court being concerned about the continued death reports all over India, the apex court had taken up the case.
The counter affidavit states that regular coordination meetings at various levels are held between forest and railway authorities to address elephant deaths due to train hits. Forest staff have been deployed in the Central Control Room at the Khurda Road Divisional Office (Railways) to pass on information about movement of elephants, the affidavit stated, adding that the VHF frequencies have been matched between Railways and State forest staff on passing such information.
The counter-affidavit further stated that regular meetings with electricity authorities are being held to take steps to prevent death of elephants due to electrocution. “Rs 21 crore has been provided to the Energy Department during 2013-14 to strengthen the electricity distribution system in areas of movement of elephants,” it mentioned.
The State Government defended itself by stating that the Wildlife Trust of India has been entrusted the task of preparing a mitigation plan to address elephants’ death due to train hits. It stated that solar fencing is being given priority and has been taken up at vulnerable places, including a 3-km stretch of the Khordha-Brahmapur railway line to reduce casualties of elephants.
Notably, with frequent elephant deaths reported from throughout the State at an alarming regularity, the petition filed by Nayak blamed the State Government for its lapses in controlling elephants’ deaths due to accidents and electrocution. It was stated in the petition that a large number of elephants have died in the State due to electrocution and train hits.
The State Government in its counter affidavit informed that 11 and two elephants have died due to train hits in 2012 and 2013, respectively.