Chhattisgarh: Three Elephants, Including Calf, Fatally Electrocuted in Raigarh Forest

The thick forests of Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district have witnessed yet another tragedy. On Friday night, three female elephants, including a calf, were electrocuted in the Chuhkimar forest. The gentle giants met a horrible fate, coming in contact with an 11KV power line that hung dangerously low, just three to four meters above the ground.

Rising Toll of Elephant Deaths

This latest incident takes the elephant death toll due to electrocution in Chhattisgarh to a shocking figure. Since 2001, 78 elephants have lost their lives in this manner, while the overall elephant fatalities stand at 224. A stark pattern of negligence is emerging. Officials and power companies have failed time and again to prevent such tragic incidents. This isn’t just about animal welfare; it reflects the systemic apathy towards the coexistence of humans and wildlife.

The carcasses of the elephants were discovered on Saturday morning. The scene was grim. Two adult elephants were hunched over in death while the calf lay on its back, suggesting it was jolted backward while trying to help its mother. The calf, about 8-9 years old, and the adults, around 30-32 years old, were all part of a herd of 40 elephants that roamed this forest.

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Where is Raigarh?

Raigarh is a city and district in the eastern part of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is located near the border with Odisha and is part of the Chhattisgarh Plain, known for its rich forests and mineral resources. Raigarh is about 220 kilometers northeast of the state capital, Raipur, and is renowned for its coal reserves and industries, particularly steel and power plants. The area also has a notable population of wildlife, including elephants, leading to frequent human-wildlife interactions.

Bakchaba beat of the Tamnar range

This incident took place in a permanent nursery located in the Bakchaba beat of the Tamnar range, where power lines were hanging dangerously low. On Saturday morning, when forest department employees discovered the bodies, they found that the elephants had come in contact with an 11KV power line.

A Raigarh-based NewsPaper reported that the elephant population in the district has now reached 158. According to the report, the Gharghoda range has a herd of 78 elephants, while 48 are located in the Amlidih area and 30 in the Kamtara region. It highlighted that with nightfall, elephants often move from the forests into farmers’ fields, posing a growing concern for local communities.

Violation of Safety Protocols

The power line, which was supposed to be suspended at a height of at least 7.5 meters above the ground, hung dangerously low in Bakchava beat of the Raigarh forest division. The protocol mandates electric lines running through forests and agricultural fields be elevated to prevent accidental contact by elephants. Open wires should not be used—only insulated cables are permitted in such areas.

In this case, the violation of these protocols was evident. The elephants were electrocuted when one of them, possibly raising its trunk, touched the low-hanging wire. As it fell, the entangled wire brought down more elephants with it. This tragic outcome was the result of blatant negligence by both the power company and forest officials. No one noticed or corrected the dangerous wire despite the evident risk.

The Investigation Begins

Conservator of Forests and Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Field Director, Manoj Pandey, commented on the incident. He confirmed the ages of the elephants and expressed concern over the power company’s role in this tragedy. He stated that while the power company was primarily at fault, the forest department was equally liable for not identifying the threat posed by the dangling wire.

Commenting on the incident, DFO Stilo Mandavi stated that announcements were being made in the affected areas in light of the elephants’ presence to prevent any human casualties. Despite these efforts, three elephants came into contact with the live wires. He further mentioned that the investigation into the matter is ongoing.

A team of four veterinarians carried out the autopsy, and the carcasses were disposed of as per the prescribed guidelines. However, this routine act does little to address the root problem—a lack of proactive measures to prevent these avoidable deaths.

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The movement of elephants is frequent in the Samaruma forest of the Tamnar range, which became a major factor in this accident. Somdev Mishra, Block President of the Chhattisgarh Environmental Protection Committee, questioned the negligence of the electricity department, stating that the live wire was hanging dangerously low. He highlighted that a large herd of elephants is present in the Gharghoda range, making it likely for elephants to come into contact with the power lines.

Recurring Tragedy

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. In January 2022, another female elephant was electrocuted in Surajpur district when it accidentally touched a low-hanging wire. These incidents keep piling up, yet preventive measures remain insufficient.

Wildlife activist Nitin Singhvi highlighted the issue, stating, “An elephant standing on its hind legs and raising its trunk can reach up to 20 feet. Guidelines clearly recommend increasing the height of electric wires to 20 feet.” Despite this, the violations continue.

Following a high court intervention, a joint meeting was held on June 26, 2024, involving the power distribution company and the forest department. During this meeting, the power company was instructed to implement safety guidelines to protect elephants. On August 1, 2024, the power company even directed its field offices to take action to ensure compliance. An affidavit submitted in court outlined ongoing efforts to maintain proper ground clearance of electrical lines, in accordance with the Central Electricity Authority’s regulations.

“Arrest Raigarh Collector Over Elephant Electrocution Tragedy“

Senior journalist and renowned Social Sector Leader Rusen Kumar has called for the immediate arrest of the Raigarh Collector, condemning what he describes as “gross negligence” and a “failure to uphold basic safety standards” that led to the electrocution deaths of three elephants, including a calf, in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district.

“This tragic incident reflects deep-rooted negligence and a lack of accountability within the administration,” Kumar stated. “It is not just a loss of precious wildlife but a shocking disregard for established protocols meant to protect animals and preserve our local ecosystem. The Collector must be held accountable for allowing such oversight. Immediate action is essential to prevent any further avoidable tragedies,” he emphasized.

Failure to Protect Wildlife

Despite these promises, the fatal incident in Raigarh’s Chuhkimar forest speaks volumes about the failure to protect wildlife. The power company, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), claimed it was monitoring and maintaining infrastructure. A meeting held on September 11, 2024, under the chief engineer of CSPDCL Raipur, discussed guidelines from various ministries and authorities, emphasizing safety. But these discussions did not translate into action on the ground.

The population of elephants in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district has increased to 158, with 78 elephants in the Raigarh forest division and 80 in Dharamjaigarh. With more elephants in the region, conflicts with humans are bound to rise. Elephants often leave the forest at night and enter farmers’ fields, damaging crops in search of food. The state has reported 104 human deaths and 243 instances of crop damage due to elephant attacks in 2022 alone. These growing conflicts highlight the urgent need for better safety measures and cohabitation strategies.

Negligence on Multiple Fronts

Friday night’s incident is not an isolated case of negligence. It’s part of a growing pattern that indicates serious lapses in wildlife management and infrastructure upkeep. The protocols are there. The guidelines have been issued. The high court has intervened. Meetings have been held. Orders have been passed. Yet, implementation is lacking. The electric lines are still dangling low, and the elephants are paying the price.

Human-elephant conflicts have become a major concern in Chhattisgarh’s northern districts—Surguja, Raigarh, Korba, Surajpur, and Balrampur. Elephants and humans are increasingly in conflict over space, food, and safety. These conflicts have taken a toll not only on elephants but also on local communities, who have suffered property damage and loss of life.

The Bigger Picture

Chhattisgarh’s forest department and the power distribution company have often been at odds over responsibility. Yet, their mutual failure is evident. Both entities are required to ensure the safety of these magnificent creatures. However, their shortcomings have resulted in a steady rise in deaths. A staggering 13 elephants have already died in 2024 due to electrocution alone. Despite repeated reminders and judicial intervention, the height of power lines has not been adequately increased, nor has proper insulation been ensured.

Elephants are not just wildlife; they are a crucial part of the ecosystem. They help in maintaining forest habitats, dispersing seeds, and creating waterholes that benefit other wildlife. Losing them at this rate is not just a tragedy for Chhattisgarh—it’s a national concern. The loss of even one elephant is an irreplaceable loss, and when such deaths are avoidable, it’s nothing short of a collective failure.

The Need for Action

There is an urgent need for accountability. Chhattisgarh’s forest department and the power company must take responsibility for this incident. Both entities are fully aware of the guidelines and protocols. Yet, their failure to act on them suggests a deeper problem—perhaps a lack of will, inadequate resources, or negligence. The reasons do not matter to the elephants who lost their lives in agony.

If the government and its various bodies are serious about protecting wildlife, they need to do more than hold meetings and issue directives. Action on the ground is what matters. The height of electric wires must be increased immediately. The infrastructure must be inspected and maintained regularly, not just after a tragedy. Forest officials must ensure that these guidelines are followed, and punitive action should be taken against those who ignore them.

Key Facts

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The Toll on Elephants

The toll on elephants in Chhattisgarh is rising year after year. More than 70 elephants have died in the last six years, with 13 already dead due to electrocution in 2024. The loss is not just a number; it’s a reflection of our failure to protect one of the most intelligent and gentle species on the planet.

Human-elephant conflicts are expected to rise as the elephant population grows. The forest area is shrinking, pushing elephants into human settlements in search of food and space. Farmers, whose fields are raided, lose crops and face economic hardships. The elephants, on the other hand, face electric shocks, poaching, or retaliation from angry villagers. It’s a vicious cycle that must be broken.

Where is the Accountability?

The power company’s affidavit in court mentioned that they were complying with safety regulations. But the incident in Raigarh shows that this is far from the truth. Compliance must be proven by action, not words. There needs to be a third-party audit of the power lines that pass through forests and agricultural fields. Those responsible for the maintenance of these lines must be held accountable. Negligence that leads to the death of wildlife must result in punitive action.

Preventive Measures and Future Steps

This tragedy should be a wake-up call for the state. It’s time to invest in preventive measures. All electric lines passing through elephant corridors must be raised to the recommended height immediately. The government should also look at using technology to monitor and protect these animals. Drone surveillance could help monitor power lines, forest areas, and herds of elephants, providing real-time data to prevent accidents.

Community awareness is also vital. People living in these areas need to be made aware of the importance of protecting elephants and preventing human-wildlife conflict. Farmers must be supported in finding alternative ways to protect their crops, and compensation for losses due to elephant raids should be provided promptly.

A Call to Protect These Giants

The tragedy in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district is heartbreaking. The image of three lifeless elephants—two adults and a calf—lying in the forest is a reminder of the cost of negligence. Elephants are highly intelligent, social animals. They mourn their dead and form lifelong bonds. The death of even one elephant affects the entire herd, and the loss of three at once is devastating.

Chhattisgarh has an opportunity to lead by example. By taking swift and decisive action, the state can protect its elephants and create a model for others to follow. But for that, the power companies, the forest department, and the government need to step up. The guidelines are there, the protocols are in place. What’s missing is the will to act.

The time for discussions is over. It’s time for action. If we fail to act now, we will lose not just our elephants, but also our humanity. We cannot call ourselves civilized if we cannot protect the gentle giants who share our forests. Let this tragedy be the last of its kind. Let it spur action, accountability, and change.

The three elephants that died in Chhattisgarh are a tragic reminder that words without action are meaningless. They deserved better. They deserved to live. It’s up to us to ensure that the next time an elephant raises its trunk, it touches nothing but the sky.

(India CSR)