A male elephant was found dead in a banana plantation near Mettupalayam after an illegal AC power connection was allegedly supplied to a solar electric fence. Two persons have been arrested, and the Forest Department has initiated legal action.
Coimbatore: Forest officials have arrested two persons after a wild male elephant was electrocuted by an illegally energised solar electric fence in a banana plantation at Vedar Colony under the Sirumugai Forest Range near Mettupalayam on Monday morning.
According to the Forest Department, Sirumugai Range staff, while on routine patrol at around 6.30 a.m., received information about the elephant lying dead in a banana field owned by Kumar at Survey No. 961 in Vedar Colony, Chikkadasampalayam Panchayat, Mettupalayam Taluk.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that the solar-powered fence surrounding the plantation had allegedly been connected to an illegal AC power supply during the previous night. The elephant is believed to have come into contact with the live fence in the early hours of Monday, resulting in its electrocution.
The Forest Department has arrested Kumar, the landowner, and Bakiyaraj (42), a farm labourer, in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.
Officials said the plantation had been under regular surveillance as part of the department’s monitoring of solar electric fences. The landowner had earlier been issued notices, and periodic joint inspections had been conducted with TANGEDCO officials. The property was also inspected during a late-night patrol last week using voltage detectors to check for illegal electrification.
Despite these preventive measures, the accused allegedly connected the solar fence to an AC power source during the night, leading to the elephant’s death.
Forest officials said legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused, and a detailed inquiry into the incident is under way.
According to the Forest Department, Sirumugai Range staff, while on routine patrol at around 6.30 a.m., received information about the elephant lying dead in a banana field owned by Kumar at Survey No. 961 in Vedar Colony, Chikkadasampalayam Panchayat, Mettupalayam Taluk.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that the solar-powered fence surrounding the plantation had allegedly been connected to an illegal AC power supply during the previous night. The elephant is believed to have come into contact with the live fence in the early hours of Monday, resulting in its electrocution.
The Forest Department has arrested Kumar, the landowner, and Bakiyaraj (42), a farm labourer, in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.
Officials said the plantation had been under regular surveillance as part of the department’s monitoring of solar electric fences. The landowner had earlier been issued notices, and periodic joint inspections had been conducted with TANGEDCO officials. The property was also inspected during a late-night patrol last week using voltage detectors to check for illegal electrification.
Despite these preventive measures, the accused allegedly connected the solar fence to an AC power source during the night, leading to the elephant’s death.
Forest officials said legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused, and a detailed inquiry into the incident is under way.