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Committee discusses strategy to combat man-animal conflicts

Staff Reporter

28 forest guards appointed in various ranges

EQUIPPING THEM: The Collector, Neeraj Mittal (right), handing over searchlights to the heads of Village Forest Committees from man-animal conflict-prone villages at the Forest Joint Management Committee meeting held in the city on Wednesday. The Dis trict Forest Officer, I. Anwardeen (left), looks on. — PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

Coimbatore: The District Forest Joint Management Committee on Wednesday discussed the measures being taken to combat the man-animal conflicts along the fringe areas of the forests. The Collector, Neeraj Mittal, along with the District Forest Officer, I. Anwardeen, chaired the meeting.

The meeting discussed the incidents of pachyderms straying into villages in the fringe areas of the forests and the resultant damage caused to crops and human life.

Educate farmers

The need for educating the farmers in the fringe areas of the forest to change their cropping pattern in order to avoid maize, sugarcane and plantains was also discussed since these crops lure the pachyderms to the farms.

The District Collector, Neeraj Mittal said that 28 forest guards had been appointed in Periyanaickenpalayam, Mettupalayam, Pooluvampatti and Sirumugai ranges.

Steps are being taken to establish a 20-km long solar electric fencing at a cost of Rs. 32 lakh. So far 18 powerful searchlights had been given to man-animal conflict prone areas for chasing back the pachyderms that shy away from powerful lights and sound. On Wednesday, 12 more searchlights were given to such villages in Karamadai range besides Rs. 1 lakh each to the Nellimarathur and Paralikkadu Joint Forest Management and Tourism committees. The Project Officer of District Rural Development Agency, Jayakumar, and others took part.

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