Coimbatore : In an attempt to block the crossing of elephants in certain sensitive areas, the forest department has dug up Elephant Proof Trenches (EPT) in the Anaikatti hills here.
Coimbatore : In an attempt to block the crossing of elephants in certain sensitive areas, the forest department has dug up Elephant Proof Trenches (EPT) in the Anaikatti hills here.
EPTs have been dug more than seven kilo meters on the forest boundary close to villages and residential areas in various places in the Coimbatore Range in the last eight months.
While close to four kms of EPT was completed in regions near Panappalli and Kandivali during the year 2018, the remaining areas were covered a few months ago.
Recently, a one km stretch between the Ashram area and Kondanur was completed along with a stretch between Pudhur and Panappalli area.
“We have been identifying key areas to block elephant movements to reduce conflict and have dug the EPTs accordingly,” said Range Officer Suresh.
He further added that this would avoid the crossing of elephants in unwanted areas.
However, locals claim that the new EPTs have resulted in conflict in newer areas as elephants are now crossing in different locations, causing panic.
They further claimed that one of the EPTs dug close to an Ashram falls very next to a sigh board indicating the crossing of elephants. The board also indicates the occurrence of the Boluvampati to Attapadi elephant corridor in that particular stretch.
“Now we see elephants crossing often near a private brick kiln chamber and are frequently coming into conflict with vehicles. There is commotion every time an elephant crosses the road,” said a resident of Aalamaramedu.
They added that lack of water source inside the reserve is also forcing the pachyderm to cross the road more frequently in recent times and requested the department to repair the water tanks inside the reserve.
The department had constructed five cement tanks inside the reserve to quench the thirst of wild animals and most of them are heavily damaged.
One of the tanks was fully dry due to blockage. A team of foresters headed by ranger Suresh inspected the spot on Wednesday and assured that water supply to the tank would be made soon.
EPTs have been dug more than seven kilo meters on the forest boundary close to villages and residential areas in various places in the Coimbatore Range in the last eight months.
While close to four kms of EPT was completed in regions near Panappalli and Kandivali during the year 2018, the remaining areas were covered a few months ago.
Recently, a one km stretch between the Ashram area and Kondanur was completed along with a stretch between Pudhur and Panappalli area.
“We have been identifying key areas to block elephant movements to reduce conflict and have dug the EPTs accordingly,” said Range Officer Suresh.
He further added that this would avoid the crossing of elephants in unwanted areas.
However, locals claim that the new EPTs have resulted in conflict in newer areas as elephants are now crossing in different locations, causing panic.
They further claimed that one of the EPTs dug close to an Ashram falls very next to a sigh board indicating the crossing of elephants. The board also indicates the occurrence of the Boluvampati to Attapadi elephant corridor in that particular stretch.
“Now we see elephants crossing often near a private brick kiln chamber and are frequently coming into conflict with vehicles. There is commotion every time an elephant crosses the road,” said a resident of Aalamaramedu.
They added that lack of water source inside the reserve is also forcing the pachyderm to cross the road more frequently in recent times and requested the department to repair the water tanks inside the reserve.
The department had constructed five cement tanks inside the reserve to quench the thirst of wild animals and most of them are heavily damaged.
One of the tanks was fully dry due to blockage. A team of foresters headed by ranger Suresh inspected the spot on Wednesday and assured that water supply to the tank would be made soon.