Bhubaneswar: Expressing anguish over the death of three elephants in Sambalpur, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden Susanta Nanda today warned that severe action would be taken against erring officials for failure on their part to protect the wild animals.
PCCF Shri Nanda not only warned officials, but also directed Additional PCCF Wildlife to rush to the spot and seriously look into the matter.
According to forest officials, two female adult elephants and a calf died due to electrocution that took place on Sunday night in Naktideul area of Sambalpur district.
From prima facie, it seems that the elephants came in contact with a live power line laid by poachers to trap wild boars to protect crops, the officials said.
PCCF Shri Nanda termed the incident as “unfortunate” and said, “There was negligence on the part of the patrolling team and field officials of the area.”
The Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Sambalpur, has been asked to conduct a thorough probe and strict action will be taken against those found guilty, Nanda said.
“I humbly admit that there was negligence on the part of the patrolling team and officials of the area. The death of three elephants is a heartbreaking incident,” he said.
This is the third such incident in Rairakhol area. Officials because of whose negligence this incident happened will not be spared, the PCCF warned.
Meanwhile, a special team of forest officials rushed to the spot for an inquiry. Further details about the incident can be known after completion of the probe.
The carcasses have been seized. A team of veterinarians would conduct the post-mortem, he added.
Taking the elephant deaths seriously, Deputy Chief Minister Kanan Vardhan Singh Deo said, “Both the electricity department and forest department are responsible to keep an eye on electric wires laid by poachers. Strict to strict punishment will be given to those found guilty, that will be exemplary for others so that no one dares to repeat it again.”