File picture of an elephant electrocuted in Ganjam district

Berhampur/Balasore, Nov. 2: The state forest department and Southern Electricity Supply Company (Southco) have joined hands to save elephants even as a herd of jumbos are moving along the Odisha-Bengal border causing panic among people.

Baripada assistant conservator of forests B.B. Swain said: “About 70 elephants had entered Odisha yesterday through Deuli and we could chase them out of the state by late night. They were in Banisole and we apprehend they may change their route and enter Odisha again via Rasgobindapur.”

The wildlife authorities have opened a 24X7 control room to monitor the elephants. Balasore divisional forest officer Harsh Bardhan Udgata said: “A round-the-clock control room has been opened for constant monitoring of the elephants. This way, the villagers concerned can be alerted about the position of the animals in advance.”

The control room numbers are 06793-221331 (Mayurbhanj) and 06782-2233451(Balasore).

A large number elephants of Dalma Sanctuary in Jharkhand have been straying into Odisha through Bengal over the past seven or eight years during this time of the year.

To save the elephants from electrocution, which is becoming increasingly common, the divisional forest officers of seven divisions of the region have been asked to constitute committees to co-ordinate with Southco officials to save the animals.

The committees will intensify patrolling in their respective areas to tackle traps set by poachers, said regional chief conservator of forests Jitendra Kumar.

Electric poles get uprooted when elephants rub their body against these poles. Electrocutions happen in such cases and in many cases, the animals die.

Forest officers have stressed on the need for insulation of 11KV transmission lines passing through the forest area to prevent illegal hooking by poachers. They also suggest raising height of the 11KV transmission lines to 20 feet from the present height of 12 feet to 14 feet.

Provision of an electronic trip controller was also suggested, which will automatically trip the power connection in case an elephant comes in contact with a live wire.

“We have also sensitised the people to ensure safety of the wild animals,” said Berhampur divisional forest officer Sudhanshu Sekhar Mishra.