Forest Department seeks ₹1.68 crore to remove electric hazards along elephant corridors

The carcass of a male wild elephant that was electrocuted at a mango orchard near Pulicharla in Chittoor district. | Photo Credit: File photo

With five elephants reported dead due to electrocution in the agricultural fields abutting the reserve forests in Chittoor district this year, the Forest Department has sought ₹1.68 crore from the district administration to remove power-related dangers along the known elephant routes crisscrossing the landscape and prevent further casualties.

District Collector Sumit Kumar told The Hindu on Thursday that forest officials sought ₹1.68 crore to rectify 150 high-priority vulnerable electrical points. “The requirement covers 112 locations in Chittoor district, 26 in RESCO Kuppam division and 12 in Punganur division of Annamayya district,” he said.

In a letter to the District Collector, the forest officials identified a total of 1,166 vulnerable electrical points across five forest ranges, including Kuppam, Palamaner, Punganur, Chittoor East and Chittoor West. Of these, 484 locations had power lines hanging at a height of six feet or below, making them particularly dangerous for elephants.

Prior to this development, Chief Wildlife Warden Rahul Pandey and Chief Conservator of Forests (Tiger Reserves) C. Selvam held a review meeting with Collector Sumit Kumar and District Forest Officer G. Subburaj here on October 30. After the meeting, the Collector directed the Forest and Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) to work together to eliminate the identified hazards.

“Officials have been asked to rectify all 150 critical locations within a month and the 484 low-height power-line locations within three months. The broader exercise to eliminate sagging-line hazards has been targeted for completion by March 31, 2027,” the Collector said.

“Our immediate priority is to raise low-hanging power lines, insulating exposed wires, fencing transformers, separating agricultural feeders, and removing illegal electrical connections. Special attention is also being given to unauthorised electric fencing used by some farmers to protect their crops from wild animals,” Mr. Sumit Kumar said.

The field teams identified 430 open agricultural wells, including 283 that were uncovered or inadequately protected, posing another threat to elephants moving through farmlands. Of the 49 elephant deaths recorded in Chittoor between 2015 and 2026, 32 were attributed to electrocution. The latest five jumbo casualties added urgency to the safety exercise.

Meanwhile, Forest officials said that the department was strengthening surveillance through Kumki elephants, drones and HANUMAN teams to monitor herds and manage their movement near villages.

Published - November 12, 2026 08:18 pm IST