In what could be a major blockage for elephants that move within the Attapadi - Bolambatti Elephant Corridor in the Anakatti hills, one of the regular pathways used by elephants to cross the Anakatti Main Road has been blocked with steel fence here.
Situated close to the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History before the Alamaramedu bus stop on the right side of the Road towards Anakatti, the fence could well create more conflict in the coming days as elephants may navigate through populated areas.
According to sources, elephants that use the corridor - which is one of the important connecting point for elephants to move between Tamil Nadu and Kerala and make full use of the feeding grounds in Anakatti - regularly use three or four crossing points on the Road among which, this is preferred more because of the availability of water.
The brick kilns in the area, through which the elephants cross from SACON campus to the other side of the reserve, have small water tanks that help the animals quench their thirst even during the dry season.
Elephants have been often spotted, photographed and even caught on videos while they had used the pathway. Recently, a video of three elephants drinking water from a small cement tank and later crossing the Road after chasing off a few vehicles went viral on social media and also raised an alarm about the importance of the pathway.
However, much to the dismay of the elephants, the bushes on the pathway have been wiped clean by a private party and a steel fence has been put up blocking the path for elephants.
Though a structure like that could be easily brought down by elephants, which is common in the Coimbatore Forest Division, fears of increased conflict in the area because of the diversion caused by the fence are arising.
One thing of joy is that there are no residential colonies close to the crossing zone, nonetheless, there are commercial sheds and an ashram nearby including SACON institution and any blockage in the current path, would stagnate elephants for longer period in unnecessary landscapes resulting in frequent man - animal encounters and conflict.
Reacting to the issue, a senior official from the Forest Department said that the crossing zone did not come under forest area, but was a patta land adding that they would suggest the owner of the plot to make the construction elephant friendly and allow the right of passage.
Situated close to the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History before the Alamaramedu bus stop on the right side of the Road towards Anakatti, the fence could well create more conflict in the coming days as elephants may navigate through populated areas.
According to sources, elephants that use the corridor - which is one of the important connecting point for elephants to move between Tamil Nadu and Kerala and make full use of the feeding grounds in Anakatti - regularly use three or four crossing points on the Road among which, this is preferred more because of the availability of water.
The brick kilns in the area, through which the elephants cross from SACON campus to the other side of the reserve, have small water tanks that help the animals quench their thirst even during the dry season.
Elephants have been often spotted, photographed and even caught on videos while they had used the pathway. Recently, a video of three elephants drinking water from a small cement tank and later crossing the Road after chasing off a few vehicles went viral on social media and also raised an alarm about the importance of the pathway.
However, much to the dismay of the elephants, the bushes on the pathway have been wiped clean by a private party and a steel fence has been put up blocking the path for elephants.
Though a structure like that could be easily brought down by elephants, which is common in the Coimbatore Forest Division, fears of increased conflict in the area because of the diversion caused by the fence are arising.
One thing of joy is that there are no residential colonies close to the crossing zone, nonetheless, there are commercial sheds and an ashram nearby including SACON institution and any blockage in the current path, would stagnate elephants for longer period in unnecessary landscapes resulting in frequent man - animal encounters and conflict.
Reacting to the issue, a senior official from the Forest Department said that the crossing zone did not come under forest area, but was a patta land adding that they would suggest the owner of the plot to make the construction elephant friendly and allow the right of passage.