The tranquility of the Nagaragali forest range in Belagavi district was shattered on Sunday by the discovery of two wild elephants, tragically electrocuted. These majestic creatures were found near sugarcane and paddy fields in Khanapur taluk, their lives cut short under deeply unsettling circumstances.
Forest officials strongly suspect that illegal electric wires, likely set up by local farmers, caused this devastating incident. Farmers in the region have been reportedly frustrated by wild animals raiding their crops, leading to suspicions that they resorted to these dangerous measures. A forest officer, who investigated the scene, indicated that some individuals had illicitly connected wires to HESCOM power lines, leaving them on the ground. It appears the unsuspecting elephants encountered these live wires, resulting in their immediate electrocution. A thorough inquiry is now underway to uncover the full details behind this tragic event.
Giridhar Kulkarni, a dedicated wildlife conservationist, has voiced strong condemnation and demanded swift action against those responsible. Kulkarni expressed profound disappointment, noting that this incident occurred despite clear written directives from Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre. These instructions mandated investigations into unnatural elephant deaths, appropriate legal action against culprits, and proactive engagement with local communities to foster harmony. Kulkarni specifically highlighted the negligence of officials, pointing out that wild elephants had been sighted in villages bordering the Khanapur forests for approximately ten days prior to the incident.
He emphasized that standard protocol dictates that upon such sightings, forest and HESCOM officials should convene with villagers to inform them about potential power supply disruptions and educate them on legal, safe methods for crop protection. This crucial step, he stated, was tragically overlooked. “It seems some farmers bypassed proper procedures, tapping into power lines and causing the electrocution of these wild animals,” Kulkarni asserted, urging for accountability from negligent officials.