The State Government would formulate an action plan to upgrade technology to strengthen the power line system in the elephant corridors so that this preventive step would help minimise cases of electrocution of pachyderms.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi chaired a high-level meeting here on November 3, in which it was decided to take up the matter on a war-footing basis.
Whereever there are sagging lines, they would be rectified and an action plan would be drawn up for adopting a higher level of technology for strengthening of the elephant protection system.
While at present PSC poles are used for electrical lines in elephant corridors and pachyderms are damaging the poles, while rubbing their bodies on the poles. However steel poles can save the situation, feel experts.
Among other steps, cabling of power lines, utilisation of high powered steel poles and few other technological up-gradation for improving electrical infrastructure have been suggested by experts.
Now, it is seen that the elephants are not only moving in elephant corridors but also there are several movement areas, where the pachyderms are having their activities.
So there will be power line improvement both in elephant corridors and elephant movement areas by adopting high-tech method as conventional method is not proving much beneficial, officials said.
There will be joint verifications of these areas by both officials of the Forest and Energy Departments on regular basis to see any sagging power lines or any weakness of electrical system exists.
The recent death of seven elephants due to electrocution has caused worry for the State Government as after several steps taken by the authorities to prevent electrocution, cases of deaths due to electrocution are reported in the State.
Elephants have been electrocuted either unwittingly due to sagging overhead lines and electrified fences or by poachers, who have set up live wire poaching traps.
Strengthening of electrical infrastructure is going on from 2013-14 in major elephant corridors in phases.
Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, Forest and Environment Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma, PCCF Wildlife Sandeep Tripathy, CESU CEO Md Sadiq Alam, CEOs of Southco, Wesco and Nesco and other senior officers attended the meeting.