Activists, locals renew demand for installation of insulated power cables
Shillong, Sept 9: Death of an endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon due to electrocution near Tura Peak has renewed a call for use of insulated cables in the region rich in bio-diversity.
The gibbon was the fourth to be electrocuted from the same original family of seven, reducing their number to two or three, according to locals.
The electrocution deaths of the Schedule I species, found only in Garo Hills in the region, has prompted anger among wildlife activists and residents who alleged prolonged negligence by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
They said repeated requests have been made since 2021 by Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Tura Municipal Board and villagers of Gandrak, Adinggre and Upper Chandmary to replace bare HT wires with insulated/aerial bunched cables in the area.
According to locals, a female Western Hoolock Gibbon was electrocuted at Gandrak Dare in 2023.
There have also been instances of elephants dying in South West Garo Hills after coming into contact with sagging 11 kV lines.
The DFO (Wildlife) had reportedly sent reminders to MeECL earlier this year as well for replacement of bare wires, but the requests allegedly went unheeded.
The affected family of Western Hoolock Gibbon was one of the very few that lived close to human settlements near Tura town and Tura Peak, residents said.
Local groups have now demanded for installation of insulated electric cables in the region and fix responsibility for the death of gibbons under the Electricity Act and Wildlife Protection Act, and publication of an Action Taken Report within seven days.
