Illegal tapping of power turns into death trap for wildlife in Telangana’s Adilabad

The latest instance of poaching of a tiger using an electric snare being a classic example

Adilabad: Illegal tapping of power is turning into a major concern and threat to wildlife in the district, with the latest instance of poaching of a tiger using an electric snare being a classic example.

Officials said 75 humans were killed when they accidentally touched electrified fences laid by wildlife hunters in erstwhile Adilabad district the last 5 years. Similarly, at least 5 tigers were electrocuted from 2014 to 2025, while scores of herbivores lost lives after coming into contact with live wire snares set up by poachers in this region.

Wildlife hunters used to set iron snares to kill herbivores and carnivores till a few years back. Of late, they are using innovative ways to hunt wild animals. They are now tapping power from electric lines passing through agriculture fields and reserve forests meant for electricity to farms and villages, in order to hunt the wild animals. They make a fast buck by selling meat, nails, skin and hairs of the animals.

Cases are being booked against the hunters, while the accused persons are being arrested for hunting wildlife. Some of them are continuing to commit the crime even after getting released from jail on bail. They are able to indulge in the offence reportedly following lack of vigil on the hunters by forest officials and the indifference of officials of the NPDCL in checking the theft of power.

Forest officials claim that they submit several letters to the NPDCL seeking its intervention in checking illegal tapping of power citing incidents of human and wildlife deaths reported in a range. They allege that the officials were showing negligence in removing illegal power lines. They say laying power lines inside reserve forests was a violation of the Forest Conservation Act 1980 and the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. They also ask why NPDCL officials failed to avoid the power lines through the reserve forests, indirectly helping poachers to sleal electricity.

When asked, NPDCL Superintendent Engineer Shesha Rao denied the allegations of the Forest officials. He stated that they were not violating the RF and Wildlife Act while laying power lines.

“We cannot help when someone taps power from a high-tension line. However, steps are being taken to check the illegal theft of electricity,” he said. .

Major threat

Tigers electrocuted in erstwhile Adilabad in last 10 years: 6

Humans electrocuted in erstwhile Adilabad in last 5 years: 75

2025: A wild animal, suspected to be a tiger was electrocuted on the outskirts of Yellur village in Penchikalpet mandal on May 15

2023: Three from Rangapet village in Bellampalli arrested for poaching tiger with electrified snare

2019: Four year-old male tiger electrocuted after touching electrified snare set by poachers on the outskirts of Shivvaram village in Jaipur mandal

2016: Four-year-old male tiger, titled Phalguna II, was electrocuted in the forests of Pinnaram village in Kotapalli mandal

Another tiger killed after touching electrified snare at an irrigation tank in Hetiguda village in Bejjur mandal

2014: A tiger was electrocuted in the forest of Chennur in 2014

2011: A tiger was electrocuted in the forest of Ootpalli village in Kagaznagar mandal in 2011

2006: A tiger was electrocuted in the forest of Papanpet village in Bejjur mandal in 2006