Hi-tech solar fencing work begins at Gonikoppal

The fence will check wild elephant menace as well as poachers

The work on laying fence is being undertaken by the forest department in association with Grama Parisara Abhivridhi Samithi under Grama Parisara Abhivridhi Yojane of the Union government at the cost of Rs 6 lakh. Solar fence is being laid for six kilometres.

The fence is based on new technology and is being laid for the first time in Kodagu. If there was any problem with the fence, then it can be switched off with the help of remote control, said Karmadu Grama Parisara Abhivridhi Samithi Convener Pandinjnaranda Prabhu Kumar.

If any hunter or wild animals try to enter the fence, then one can hear the siren. The solar fence is not only for checking wild elephant menace but also to check poachers and other wild animals from destroying crops, he added.

The work on fence has already commenced. To avoid poor quality of work and to check bribe, the villagers are themselves looking after the ongoing work. One person from each house is in charge of the supervision of the work daily along with the forest department.
The laying of solar fence has also provided employment to the youth of the village. The work will be completed by the first week of December.

Elephant Abhimanyu along with four other elephants are being used for the removal of weeds and other plants to clear the forest to lay solar fence.

The work on laying fence was inaugurated by Pandinjnaranda Acchappa.