Solar fencing to be installed in Mullaringadu to prevent wild elephant entry

Thodupuzha MLA P.J. Joseph leads meeting to address man-animal conflicts in Mullaringadu, Idukki, proposing solar fencing to prevent incidents.

Thodupuzha MLA P.J. Joseph called a meeting on Saturday to discussthe risingman-animal conflicts in Mullaringadu region, near Thodupuzha, in Idukki.

According to officials, the meeting decided to install solar fencing on the forest border areas of the village to prevent wild elephants from entering the human habitats.

The meeting was called in the wake of a wild elephant attack that claimed the life of a youth insidea reserve forest bordering a human settlement at Mullaringadu on December 29.

In the meeting, Mr. Joseph said he would allot ₹10 lakh for the project from the MLA fund. Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, who attended the meeting, said he will allot ₹8 lakh for the project from the MP fund.Idukki Subcollector Anoop Kharg said the government will allocate the remaining project funds after consulting with the District Collector V. Vigneshwari.

The meeting directed the Mullaringadu range officer to prepare a detailed estimate for the fencing project. According to the officials, to prevent the entry of wild elephants, solar fencing should be installed within a radius of 10 km.

According to the Forest department officials, the penstock pipes of the Valara-Thottiyar hydel project from Valara to Neendapara are blocking the smooth movements of wild elephants to deep forests. During the meeting, Kothamangalam Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saju P.U. said that the department is exploring the possibilities of constructing ramps in the areas to facilitate the smooth movement of the elephants.

Mullaringadu range officer Tomin J. Aranjani said the department will prepare an estimate for the solar fencing project soon. “The Forest department has already appointed four watchers to monitor the movements of wild elephants in the Mullaringadu range,” said Mr. Aranjani.