To reduce death of elephants due to conflict with humans, Andhra government has prioritised digging trenches and installing solar fences.
Published Nov 26, 2024 | 2:15 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2024 | 2:15 PM
Representative image of a herd of elephants (Pixabay)
In response to the rising number of elephant deaths due to electrocution, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to implement solar-powered fences to safeguard agricultural fields. These fences will deliver enough electric shock to deter elephants but will be mild enough to avoid killing them.
The state government’s initiative also includes the construction of trenches around agricultural areas to prevent elephants from entering and damaging crops. This initiative aims to ensure that the interests of farmers are protected while ensuring the safety of the elephants.
Additionally, in the wake of increasing reports of elephants trampling human beings, measures are being taken to send elephants back to their natural habitat, with the help of elephant trackers.
The TDP-led BJP alliance’s decision to implement these measures comes after a tragic incident in Chittoor district, where an elephant was killed by an electric fence set up by farmers. The incident occurred when a herd of elephants was migrating from the Kuppam area to the Seshachalam forests. During the journey, one elephant strayed from the herd and was electrocuted while attempting to enter a field.
Concerned about the recurring elephant deaths due to mishap, the Andhra Pradesh government has prioritised digging of trenches and the installation of solar fences as a safer alternative to traditional electric fences.
On Monday, 25 November, Dy CM and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan reviewed the situation with Forest Department officials, urging them to hasten the process of trench digging and solar fence installation to deter the elephants from straying into agricultural fields.
Pawan Kalyan asked officials that the trench-digging work be entrusted to the Panchayat Raj and Rural development department, which could link it to the ongoing NREGP (National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme) projects.
The forest department has estimated that about 123 elephants are currently moving in the forest ranges of Kuppam, Palamneru and Chittoor. Persistent tuskers keep entering the fields, which lead to man-animal conflict in the region.
During the review, forest department officials apprised Pawan Kalyan that two herds of elephants which were moving in North Andhra’s Paravtipuram-Manyam were being monitored.
One herd comprises seven elephants while the other has four. The elephant herds’ movements are being closely monitored by forest department officials with the help of 50 trained elephant-trackers. The trackers’ role is to send the elephants back into the forests to prevent undesirable human-animal conflict.
Andhra Dy CM Pawan Kalyan emphasised to officials the government’s responsibility to “protect both the lives of farmers and the elephants.” In this regard, he urged the officials to expedite the implementation of measures that would ensure the safety of both parties.
(Edited by Neena)
