Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo announced on Wednesday that the state government would sever electricity connections in villages where residents are found involved in wildlife poaching through deliberate electrocution.
The Deputy Chief Minister, responding to a query in the Assembly raised by BJP legislator Sidhant Mohapatra, said that some villagers had been using live electric wires to kill wild boars and other animals.
This illegal practice has led to the accidental deaths of elephants and even humans.
Singh Deo highlighted a recent incident in Sambalpur district where three elephants died due to electrocution, drawing nationwide criticism of Odisha's wildlife protection measures.
“In such villages, after having a discussion with villagers in the presence of forest officials, we will snap their electricity connections till they do not hand over the culprits,” Singh Deo stated.
He also urged all MLAs to support the government’s efforts to curb this illegal practice and ensure the protection of wildlife. “It is imperative that public representatives join hands to end such harmful activities,” Singh Deo added.
The Deputy Chief Minister further emphasised the need for collective responsibility to tackle wildlife poaching, appealing to legislators to educate their constituents on the legal and ecological implications of these actions.
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