CG’s rare flying squirrels caught between forest loss & live wires

Raipur: Flying squirrels, a rare gliding mammal found in Chhattisgarh’s forest belts, are under pressure from a mix of old and new dangers. The animal, known for moving silently between trees at night, is now facing a deadlier landscape of power lines, shrinking canopy, summer heat and hunting pressure.Electrocution from power lines is emerging as one of the major causes of concern. Officials said several flying squirrels have died in recent years after coming into contact with overhead electric wires, while road accidents on forest routes have also added to the threat. On Thursday, a forest team spotted five flying squirrels gliding above and below power lines, prompting both excitement and alarm among field staff. “An accident could happen at any time. Today’s sight was truly thrilling,” a member of the team said.The threats do not stop there. In summer, fruit-bearing trees and water sources thin out, raising the risk of dehydration. Deforestation and encroachment are steadily squeezing their habitat. The situation is especially worrying in the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, where anti-poaching teams have recorded more than 10 hunting-related cases over the past four years, officials said. The figures suggest that illegal hunting remains a serious threat despite strict wildlife protection laws. Officials said hunting of protected wildlife is a punishable offence and can lead to imprisonment of three to seven years under the law.Wildlife experts and forest staff have called for urgent conservation steps to protect the species and its habitat. Deputy director of USTR Varun Jain said some electric lines were laid without forest clearance.“Yes, some electricity lines have been erected without forest clearance, and a majority of the electric lines are without insulation, leading to electrocution of flying squirrels and peafowls, besides increasing the chances of misuse by poachers,” said USTR deputy director Varun Jain.“We have written to the electricity department seeking insulation of the power lines and are awaiting a response,” he said.