Kerala fences inter-state border to stop entry of elephants

The Kerala's Forest department has built concrete fences under Delampady Gram Panchayat limits on the Karnataka-Kerala border, to prevent the entry of wild elephants from Karnataka. It has used the grants provided by the Central government for the purpose.

The 1.8-km-long fence is constructed to ensure that the elephants do not damage crops. However, the pachyderms have been attempting to make an entry through a 400-metre opening.

The fence has not been constructed in the area as the construction material could not be transported to the spot. A herd of six elephants were spotted in the region last week. They fled after the farmers burst firecrackers. Though the concrete fence has given a temporary relief, the farmers are worried about the future consequences. If the elephants make it to the agricultural lands through the gap, crops cultivated on 200 to 250 acres will be destroyed.

The protective fences have been constructed at a cost of Rs 1.36 crore per kilometre. The fence is 2.2-metre in height and 1 metre in width. A request was made to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to do the needful. The Central government granted funds, due to the initiative by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.

After a survey conducted by the Kerala Forest department, it was decided to construct a fence from Talpaccheri to Ambittimaru via Jambarmoole.

"The concrete fence must be constructed at Katinaje area where the pachyderm menace is high. A request has been made in this regard to the Kerala Forest department," said leader Kepu Naika Katinaje.

Forest Conservation Committee president Vasu Naika said that the Forest department should make the fence connect Ambittimaru through Mavinadi and Katinaje. "This will help to protect 250 acres of agricultural land."