Summary:
These incidents were not restricted to Megamalai reserve forest alone and deaths were being reported from other national parks and reserve forests as well, he said. He claimed that 140 MW of power generated from Periyar Hydel Project was transmitted through high tension wires passing through Megamalai reserve forest. On June 18, an elephant and its calf were electrocuted in Cumbum East Range of Megamalai Wildlife Division. At specific spots, these lines were as low as seven feet, whereas a fully grown elephant would reach a height of 11 to 12 feet. The petitioner, S.
Manoj Immanuel of Dindigul, sought a direction to ensure the safety of wild animals by raising the height of high voltage electricity transmission lines passing through reserve forests and their appropriate insulation..