DHENKANAL:  Laxity in enforcement of ground reports, poor coordination between forest and CESU staff and also inaction on monthly coordination reports came to the fore three days after seven elephants died due to electrocution at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district.A look at the files in Dhenkanal Divisional Forest Office office reveals that though Kamalanga section under Sadar forest range had reported to DFO on November 22 last year about the dangling live wires and the office in turn communicated it to CESU, the latter did not take any steps to increase the height.

However, after the first communication, there were no reminders to CESU from the division office and neither had CESU taken steps for about a year to raise its height above the prescribed 17 metres after the November 22 communication.This lapse occurred despite the fact that there is a provision that every forest section should communicate with CESU through proper channel every month about the sagging live wires or any threat to elephants, official sources said. The Government had suspended Sadar Ranger Pratap Kumar Biswal besides two others for dereliction of duty.

It is also learnt that monthly coordination meetings and action taken reports were not translated into action. Forest department sources said the live wire was laid by a construction railway agency for a bridge three years back. “We had reported about the sagging live wire to Forest department on several occasions but no action came forth,” said Jasmin Pradhan, a villager.

Even as the blame game continues over owning up responsibility, forest sources said there are sagging live wires just at 8 ft above ground at Sudhakhaikateni and Tentuliapada. The route is used by elephants to cross the road and forest guards, who are employed on daily wage basis, had reported about the impending danger to elephants.

As per the latest reports, as many as 258 elephants are roaming in Dhenkanal. While there are 35 elephants in Phasi village, as many as 65 jumbos, including tuskers, are roaming in Gadasila section where paddy is available in ample quantity. The guards deployed in the area have reported to the officials concerned about the jumbo movement in these areas too.

Meanwhile, the Crime Branch team spent more than 12 hours in DFO’s office on Monday and about two hours on Tuesday. They have reportedly seized some official copies and recorded statements of officials, including clerk and officers. Police and Forest department sources said the CB team has interrogated 10 forest staffers  (including ground staff) and CESU officials. On Tuesday, the State scientific forensic team visited Kamalanga village for investigation.

On the other hand, Vana Seva Sangh has threatened to take to the streets if the Forest department did not revoke the suspension of its staffers. They said the staffers were suspended even though they had reported about sagging live wire.  Divisional Forest Officer Sudarshan Patra did not respond to repeated calls.