The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State to file a report on a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities to replace the ‘bare overhead wires’ with ‘bunched insulated cables’ or ‘underground wires’ or to install ‘protective casings’ on power lines passing through Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary located in Dindigul and Karur districts.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman was hearing a petition filed by K. Pushpavanam of Madurai. The petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to construct dedicated Artificial Canopy Bridges across fragmented road networks in and around the sanctuary to allow safe arboreal passage for Slender Loris.

He said he came across a news report published in The Hindu on a Slender Loris electrocuted on a power line in Dindigul. He said environmental activists demanded there was a need to install ‘insulated cables’ or ‘protective casing’ on overhead wires within and around the sanctuary. The activists have suggested that this was the only long term solution to prevent Slender Loris from being electrocuted.

He also sought a direction to the authorities to install ‘Caution Signage Boards’ to alert the vehicles crossing the habitats of Slender Loris in Dindigul and Karur districts and undertake systematic pruning of tree branches only where they come into dangerous proximity to the power lines.

He said Article 48 A of the Constitution mandates that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

The court posted the matter for hearing to June 22.