Alarmed at the death of 461 elephants due to electrocution between 2009 and 2017, or over 50 a year, a task force set up by Union Environment Ministry has suggested installing reinforced electric poles fitted with spikes in forest areas and sanctuaries to prevent the jumbos from rubbing against them or uprooting them in a fit of rage.
The panel has also suggested measures, including lifting of sagging overhead powerlines, laying of underground cable or aerial bunched cables or covered conductors to save the wildlife animals in the protected areas.
Calling for a national policy and lifting of sagging overhead power lines, the committee submitted its report before the National Board of Wildlife in a recent meeting also recommended insulation of overhead wires across all elephant habitat and elephant movement zones and remove / dismantle all defunct solar powered fences.
