Forest dept insiders say MSEDCL to blame for keeping high-tension cables exposed, leading to misuse by poachers In the past two months three tigers, several deer and wild boars have been found dead in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The animals appear to have been electrocuted and this is ringing the alarm bells in
the forest department, which is blaming the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) for not maintaining high tension power transmission lines passing through the forested area.
Shocking: A tiger cooling off in Tadoba, where two adult tigers were
found electrocuted in February and one in January. Pic/Pritam Gurav
Last month, an adult tiger and a tigress were found dead in two separate incidents near Padmapur and Lohara regions, adjacent to Tadoba. The wildlife authorities claim that the animals were electrocuted, as there have been extensions of electrical lines across most parts of forest. In January, another full-grown tiger was found electrocuted near Zharam in Tadoba. In 2012 alone, there have been over seven tiger deaths in the state due to various reasons. Lohara and Zharam both fall under the buffer zone, which is a highly protected wildlife area.
"The problems are being faced within the wildlife corridors, as certain locals have adopted the technique of poaching through electrocution by illegally extending wires from the thermal power plant transmission lines, which are installed by MSEDCL. They have spread live wires through almost 3 to 4 kilometres in spots frequented by animals. The animals being unaware of the wires, cross it and get electrocuted," a senior official from Nagpur forest department said, requesting anonymity.
He added that the locals may not specifically target tigers, but they are caught in the snare anyway.
The department has asked the state government to use underground cables instead of wires and have also asked the electrical authority to install earth leakage circuit breakers, besides conducting regular inspection of transmission lines.
"It could be costly, but wildlife is more costly. We are pursing this matter seriously," said the official.
Wildlife activists have also claimed that since some of the borders of Tadoba reserve are not under the control of the forest department, there have been many cases of poaching. Shardul Barjikar, naturalist with Sanctuary Asia, who frequently visits Tadoba said, "During festival time, locals are known to kill deer, sambars or boars as per ritual, and also to have bush meat. The problem is that most of the area is controlled by the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra for its commercial purpose and not forest department."
Incidentally, at present the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been conducting an annual tiger census in all 39 tiger reserves of the country, including Maharashtra. For that, the NTCA has transferred about Rs 35 lakh to each reserve along with cameras and field equipment. According to the data, there are about 74 tigers in Tadoba-Andhari reserve out of 169 tigers in the state.
"There have been no cases of poaching at Tadoba as we have set up camps and our officers are well-equipped and conduct timely patrolling. The deaths are due to faulty electrical lines, which are not properly insulated," Senior Field Forest Officer, Dr SK Chitrapal said.
Ram Dotonde, in-charge of MSEDCL said, "Before erecting the transmission plants in the forest areas, we seek permission from the forest department. It is only after their consent that we install the electrical lines. The plants could also be installed by private companies as we provide only electricity." | 
No comments:
Post a Comment