The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday hiked the penalty on the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 4 crore in connection with the recent death of seven elephants at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district.
The NGT directed the Cesu to deposit the fine amount with the Odisha Forest Department for preparation of an action plan to protect elephants.
Taking up the case for hearing, the NGT expressed serious concern over the safety of elephants.
It said that the pachyderms are dying due to lack of synergy between the Energy Department and the Forest Department.
The green body asked the Forest Department to prepare action plans for protecting elephants and report to the Union Environment and Forest Ministry in every three months.
Earlier, the NGT had slapped a penalty of Rs 1 crore on the Cesu for its negligence that led to the death of the elephants.
Notably on October 26, the seven pachyderms of a 13-member herd died on the spot after coming in contact with an 11-KV live electric wire laid by the railways temporarily for track construction work at Kamalanga village under the Sadar Forest Range in Dhenkanal district.