Bilaspur. Chhattisgarh High Court, taking cognizance of the incidents of death of elephants and other wild animals due to electrocution in the state, sought clarification from the Energy Department and asked what action was taken against the responsible officials. Officials gave this information on Wednesday.
Officials said that the double bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Dutta Guru in the High Court has taken suo motu look into the incidents of death of elephants and other wild animals due to electrocution in various areas of the state. Has taken cognizance and is hearing the matter as a public interest litigation. He said that the court has also sought clarification from the Secretary of the State Energy Department and the Managing Director of the Electricity Distribution Company, Raipur, after the death of three elephants in Raigarh district.
The High Court has asked what necessary reforms have been taken to protect wildlife and what disciplinary action has been taken against the officers responsible for these matters. The next hearing in the case will be on November 20. According to the information received from the official website of Chhattisgarh High Court, the bench took suo motu decision in this case on Monday. Taking cognizance, a PIL was filed and hearing was held.
According to the website, it has been said in the news published in various newspapers that recently, three female elephants including a cub died due to electrocution in Chuhkimar forest area of Raigarh forest division. The High Court said that these three elephants died when they came in contact with 11 KV electric wire. These wires were hanging barely three-four meters above the ground.
The court said that it is a clear rule that electric wires passing through agricultural fields and forests should be at least 7.5 meters above the ground and insulated cables should be used instead of open electric wires. Meanwhile, Raipur resident Nitin Singhvi filed an application through his advocate Surya Kawalkar Dangi and said that on November 1, 2024, a baby elephant died due to electrocution in Takhatpur forest range of Bilaspur forest division. The court said that since 2001, 78 elephants have died in the state. Earlier on October 10, three bears had also died due to electrocution in Kanker. In the month of October itself, three people have died after getting hit by electric wires laid for hunting wildlife.