Sambalpur Elephant Death: PCCF Recommends Disciplinary Action Against 'Erring' Ranger

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) on Thursday wrote to Odisha government seeking disciplinary action against Sambalpur Sadar Range Officer for dereliction of duty.

Taking serious cognizance on the recent elephant death in train accident at Hatibari in Sambalpur, PCCF, Harishankar Upadhyay, cited that despite possessing a full-fledged squad to track the wild elephants straying into habitations and railway lines, the Range Officer had failed to conduct enough patrolling, resulting in the death of many elephants over the year.

As per Upadhyay's complaint, absence of patrolling in the area is the key reason behind the deaths of elephants by train accidents and electrocution.

Notably, an elephant was killed after being hit by Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Intercity Express near Gargadbahal village between Jujumura and Hatibari of the district on 6 December 2020.

According to local sources, the speeding train hit the pachyderm while it was crossing the railway track.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)