Dakshina Kannada gets concrete fences to keep elephants out of farms

MANGALURU: The forest department is constructing concrete fencing in six ranges of Dakshina Kannada district to prevent elephants from entering human habitats and farms. Elephant-proof trenches (EPT) have already been laid to mitigate human-animal conflict in agricultural property.
Besides resident elephants, small herds are known to move on the Madikeri-Sullia, Kerala-Sullia, Uppinangady-Hassan and Sakleshpur routes in the district.
Deputy conservator of forests, Mangaluru division, Dinesh Kumar YK told TOI that concrete fencing or special structure works are being undertaken on stretches where elephant-proof trenches cannot be laid.
For instance, in places where elephant movement is recorded and there are rivers and streams passing by, or in places with rocky outcrops, EPTs cannot be laid. After several discussions and studies on substitutes, we decided to take up special structure works to prevent elephants from entering human habitats. Special stretches will come in handy as they act as a barricade and prevent elephants from entering," he said.
Such structures are being built in Sullia, Panja, Subrahmanya, Belthangady, Uppinangady and some parts of Puttur, where movement of elephants has been recorded, alongisde resultant crop damage. Currently, the construction works are being undertaken in nearly 500m in different locations and permission is being sought from the principal chief conservator of forests to take up special structure works for an additional 500m. In addition, EPTs are being laid on a 6km stretch.
Recently, elephant movement was recorded in Belthangady and crop damage was reported in a few villages. "Most of the elephant movement was reported during the night. Hence, night patrolling teams were formed and are moving around in affected or anticipated areas. About 20 days ago, the movement of a herd of 4-5 elephants was noted. Currently, 1-2 elephants are moving around in Belthangady," Dinesh Kumar said.