more-in MADURAI Following reports that at least three elephants had perished in Megamalai Forest Range in Theni district when they came in contact with live wire, a public interest litigation petition was filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday, seeking a direction to ensure the safety of wild animals. 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. On June 18, an elephant and its calf were electrocuted in Cumbum East Range of Megamalai Wildlife Division. Similarly, on September 5, a female elephant was electrocuted in the same range, 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. 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 wires were an obstacle on the migratory path of elephants, he said. As per the guidelines of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, power lines should be placed at a minimum of 20 feet above the ground on level terrain and at a minimum of 30 feet above the ground on steeper terrain in order to prevent electrocution. But these guidelines were not followed. 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. A Division Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Sathish Kumar directed notice to the Forest officials concerned and adjourned the case for further hearing till September 17.

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