Jumbo deaths: Penalty on CESU hiked to Rs 4 crore

Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today increased the penalty on Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) to Rs 4 crore for its negligence that led to the death of seven elephants in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district in October.

The NGT asked the power distribution company to deposit the fine amount with Odisha Forest Department.

The tribunal also directed the Forest Department to spend the fine amount for protection of elephants. The department has also been directed to prepare an action plan for proper implementation of various elephant conservation projects in the State. Besides, the NGT  asked the Odisha Forest Department to intimidate the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on how the action plan is being executed in the State every three months.

On October 30, the tribunal had registered a Suo Motu case against and imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on CESU in connection with the electrocution deaths of seven elephants on the outskirts of Kamalanga village under Sadar Forest Range in the district on October 26.

On October 26 night, the jumbos including a calf, had died of electrocution after coming in contact with a live wire on the outskirts of Kamalanga village under Sadar Forest Range in the district.

Three officials each from Forest Department and CESU were later suspended in connection with the incident.