Wildlife Warden of Megamalai Wildlife Division, Theni, on Thursday submitted before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that a total of 134 low-lying power lines were identified within Megamalai forest range.
A total of 120 low-lying Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) power lines and 14 low-lying Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (TANTRANSCO) power lines were identified through a joint inspection. The process of identifying them as critical and non-critical was under way, the report said.
A Division Bench of Justices K.K. Sasidharan and P.D. Audikesavalu took cognisance of the report and adjourned the case till January 8 for further hearing. The court had initiated suo motu proceedings following reports of elephant deaths in the region due to low-lying power lines. As many as six deaths due to electrocution were reported in as many months.
The court was also hearing a plea that alleged that the deaths could have been a result of poaching. The petitioner, Manoj Immanuel, sought a special team monitored by the court to probe the deaths. Earlier, the court had directed the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to look into the elephant deaths, following which the investigation was initiated.
