Madikeri:
The forest department has decided to install solar fences and dig trenches to check the elephant menace in Kodagu district.

Elaborating on the measures, Kodagu conservator of forests Brijeshkumar Dixith said the department has planned to install solar fences across 71km in Nagarahole-Thithimathi range and for 41km in Dubare range.

The fences will be powered with 5KV to 7KV electricity. Small sheds will be erected at a distance of 3km each along the fence to check and maintain the power lines. The sheds will have the control switches to regulate power.

The department has decided to rope in estate owners for manning the sheds.

Estate owners will be asked to spare a labourer, who will visit the shed every morning and evening to check the switches and regulate power supply.

The department will pay the worker Rs 1,000 per month. This arrangement will spare the department from engaging additional staff for manning the sheds.

In places where the department cannot install solar fences, 3m-wide trenches will be dug. But before taking up these works, Dixith said the department will drive the elephants towards the forest area, away from the village and town boundaries, and a special forest squad has been formed for the purpose.

In North Kodagu especially the Sakaleshpur-Kodagu border, the department has sought permission for tranquilizing and capturing wild elephants.

When questioned about teak cultivation in forest area depleting food for animals, Dixith said it was a wrong notion. “Elephants eat the bark of teak. Also, a variety of bamboo is grown everywhere in Kodagu, which is consumed by elephants,” he said.

On the scarcity of water inside the forest, he said a project will be proposed to repair and rejuvenate all the mud-covered and neglected streams and ponds inside the forest area.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / TNN / August 30th, 2012