National Tiger Conservation Authority seeks plan to stop animal deaths due to electrocution

NAGPUR: Perturbed by spurt in tiger deaths due to electrocution around national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), has directed Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh governments to prepare an action plan which will be funded by it.


Both Maharashtra and MP recorded 13 to 15 deaths of tigers last year, perhaps highest ever during a year. If poaching by laying metal traps is one reason, tigers have been also falling prey to electric wire traps laid for herbivores.

There have been incidents of tiger deaths due to electrocution in the past around Tadoba, Pench, Bhandhavgarh and Kanha. In this context, member secretary of NTCA Rajesh Gopal, has asked both the states to prepare an inventory of forest divisions and non-forest areas having tiger presence or history of cattle depredation due to tiger.

Gopal called for assessment of electric lines passing through these areas, including tiger reserves, in collaboration with the state electricity boards, transmission and distribution companies.

The NTCA has asked the states to prepare a proposal of insulating such transmission lines. The tiger authority has also called to enter into a formal understanding with the respective state electricity boards with explicit commitment from their end for periodic checking of the transmission lines to prevent sagging, tripping etc.

Both the state forest departments have been asked to deploy special patrolling parties for areas having the transmission lines. This is all the more important after a carcass of an electrocuted tiger was found in Palora in Deolapar range in the buffer of Pench Tiger Reserve on January 16. The tiger was killed in October 2012.

Gopal has asked the states to forward a proposal for funding support in the annual plan of operation for the financial year under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger.

Even if NTCA has issued directions, forest minister Patangrao Kadam recently announced in Nagpur that shifting of transmission lines from sensitive forest areas was not feasible as it would cost Rs575 crore.

On February 8, the state forest department and MSEDCL had identified sensitive lines where electrocution is reported frequently. Officials of both the departments will also share information of tripping. The culprits will now be booked under the Electricity Act apart from facing charges under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.