Chittoor Records 32 Elephant Deaths by Electrocution Since 2015

Overview

District Collector Sumit Kumar has directed the Forest Department and the Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) to initiate immediate measures to prevent elephant electrocutions in Chittoor. This directive follows a review showing that electrocution accounts for 65% of elephant fatalities in the region over the last decade.

Mortality Assessment

According to a review conducted on October 30, 2026, 49 elephant deaths have been recorded in Chittoor between 2015 and 2026. Data indicates that 32 of these fatalities were caused by electrocution. In the year 2026 specifically, five elephants have died due to electrical hazards, including illegal snares, unauthorized agricultural connections, and infrastructure issues.

Critical Areas and Mitigation Plan

Forest Department surveys have mapped 1,166 vulnerable locations across five ranges: Kuppam, Palamaner, Punganur, Chittoor East, and Chittoor West. Key findings include:

• 484 locations have power lines situated six feet or lower, posing a direct threat to wildlife.
• 150 locations are classified as highly critical and require urgent intervention.
• 430 open agricultural wells have been identified, with 283 lacking proper coverage or fencing.

Collector Sumit Kumar announced a timeline to address these risks:

• Critical Locations: Scheduled for repair within one month.
• Low-lying lines: Scheduled for correction within three months.

The proposed actions involve insulating or elevating power lines, fencing transformers, separating agricultural feeders, and increasing vigilance against illegal electrical activity. Officials are investigating specific lapses, such as the October 24 incident in Chukkavaripalli, where repeated reports regarding low-hanging wires allegedly went unaddressed.