For over a month, residents in the Sukinda and Tamaka forest ranges of Odisha's Jajpur district have been grappling with an unprecedented crisis: deliberate and prolonged power cuts. The reason? A herd of wild elephants has taken up residence in the area, and the electricity supply is being switched off to prevent the majestic animals from fatal electrocution.
A Village Life Thrown Into Darkness
The well-intentioned measure, however, has become a severe point of contention for the local population. Villagers are struggling to cope with the bitter winter cold and an acute water shortage, as pumps remain inoperable without electricity. The power cuts, which sometimes last the entire night, have disrupted daily life, education, and commerce.
"We have been experiencing power cuts for more than a month since the elephants entered the villages to devour ripe paddy and vegetables," explained Manoj Jaraka, a 45-year-old resident of Phuljhari village. The situation is particularly harsh for students. Ajaya Jaraka, a 14-year-old student from the same village, said, "I am not able to study due to the power cuts at night."
Local businesses are also bearing the brunt. Braja Behera, a grocery store owner in Tamaka, highlighted the economic impact: "Customers don't come to my shop after sunset as there is no power at night. This has affected my business."
The 'Gaja Sanrakshana' Mission: A Necessary Evil?
The power disconnection is part of a coordinated effort named 'Gaja Sanrakshana' (Elephant Protection), a mission launched by a joint team of the forest department and the power distribution company TPSODL. The initiative aims to mitigate the deadly human-elephant conflict, a major issue in the region.
Kishor Kumar Panigrahi, the assistant conservator of forest (ACF) for Tamaka in Jajpur district, detailed the process. "Both departments have formed a social media group to track the movement of elephants. After getting news about the presence of elephants in a particular area from the forest department, the officials of TPSODL disconnect power," he said. This is a critical preventive step, as elephants often get electrocuted by coming into contact with sagging overhead wires or weak power infrastructure in forest fringes.
The Grim Statistics Behind the Power Cuts
The urgency of the action is underscored by alarming state data. According to a statement by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in the Lok Sabha, 71 out of 104 elephants killed in Odisha between 2019-20 and 2023-24 died due to electrocution. This staggering figure highlights the lethal threat posed by power infrastructure to wildlife and validates the forest department's cautious approach.
While the mission's goal to protect elephants is vital, it has inadvertently created a humanitarian challenge. The villagers, caught in the middle of this conflict, are paying a heavy price with their comfort, safety, and livelihoods. The situation presents a complex dilemma for authorities, balancing urgent wildlife conservation with the essential needs of the local human population.
