Steel wire fence installation under way at Nagarahole
The Hindu
It is expected to prevent elephants from straying into human landscape
A pilot project to install steel wire fence to prevent elephants from foraying into human habitat, is under way at Nagarahole and is expected to reduce human-elephant conflict in the region.
Though railway track fence has also been installed along certain stretches of Nagarahole, it has been ineffective at some places with elephants known to surmount the barrier. Besides, the cost is prohibitive and hence the authorities are experimenting with steel wire barricading. Mahesh Kumar, Director, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, said that this was a pilot project under implementation at Veeranahosahalli range of the tiger reserve where the conflict was on the higher side. It would not replace the ongoing railway track fence installation but was being taken up as a pilot project and if found to be successful, it would be taken up on a large scale, he added. The cost of rail barricading was in excess of ₹1.5 crore per km whereas the steel wire fence costs around ₹55 lakh to ₹60 lakh per km, he said.
The concept entails installation of 13-feet-tall concrete pillars weighing nearly 1.5 tons providing it a depth of at least 5 feet so as to firmly secure it to the ground. The pillars are connected with a band of five steel wires and the strength of the wires has been tested using the camp elephants which tried to cross over the steel wires but failed.
Minister for Cooperation and in charge of Mysuru district, S.T. Somashekar, visited the Veeranahosahalli range on Wednesday and apprised himself of the salient features of the project.
He said the government was supportive of all measures to minimise human-elephant conflicts that were on the rise and the steel wire barricading was one such experiment supplementing solar fence, elephant proof trench, and rail track fence.
It had been taken up for the first time in Karnataka and if successful, could be taken up in other areas in Kodagu, Hassan, and Chikkamagaluru where the conflict was high, according to officials.
Telangana Legislature's winter session on December 9, 2024 to focus on new legislation, rectifying past Acts, and addressing social indicators and financial issues.
Central government officials raise concerns over vague replies on vacancies and recruitments in Central ministries, highlighting data discrepancies.
Supreme Court directs five states to provide facts on illegal sand mining activities, emphasizing the need for control.
Vazhndhu Kattuvom scheme in Tiruchi district empowers women entrepreneurs through vocational training and e-commerce platforms for business growth.
Chennai airport passengers face challenges with defective trolley wheels, but improvements are underway by AAI officials.
J&K leaders oppose new railway lines cutting through agriculture and horticulture land in south Kashmir, citing ecological and livelihood concerns.
Preliminary study at IIT Madras' Vana Vani School raises concerns over unauthorized clinical trials on students.
Shortage of clinical psychologists in India due to discontinuation of MPhil program raises concerns about education and accreditation standards.
Producers of Tamil movie Amaran apologize for displaying student's number, leading to legal action and removal of scene.
Telangana Chief Minister initiates recruitment of transgender Traffic Assistants in Hyderabad Police for inclusivity and representation.
Forest Minister K. Ponmudy launches 60 mobile medical units for Cyclone Fengal relief in Villupuram district.