Solar Fences Set Up in Kozhikode to Block Wild Animals

Field work has started to install solar-powered hanging fences in the Chakkittappara grama panchayat of Kozhikode district to stop wild animals from entering human areas and ruining crops.

Areas Covered

The work began at Randamcheeli in Poozhithode and covers weak spots in Poozhithode, Chempanoda, and Alambara where wild elephants, wild boars, and monkeys frequently wander in. Workers cleared trees along a five-kilometre path from Randamcheeli to Ambattupadi last week, and earthmoving work is now underway to put up fence posts. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society started this work about a year ago, but local residents and public representatives complained about slow progress.

Project Details

This project is part of a larger Forest department plan to set up hanging solar fences along roughly 64 kilometres of vulnerable forest borders in Kozhikode. The project spans across the Peruvannamoozhi, Kuttiyadi, and Thamarassery forest ranges. Under the Peruvannamoozhi range, the work covers Alampara, Undamoola, Muthappanpuzha, Seethappara, and Chenkottakolly, with about 18 kilometres of fencing in Chakkittappara panchayat costing ₹2.72 crore. The Kuttiyadi range covers 17.5 kilometres in Kavilumpara, Venimel, and Narippatta panchayats, while the Thamarassery range plans about 12 kilometres in Thiruvambady, Kodenchery, and Puthuppady. An extra 16 kilometres is also planned under an Agriculture department scheme in Thiruvambady and Koodaranji panchayats.

Farmer Impact

Farmer group leaders say wild elephants have already ruined several acres of land where people grew high-value crops like coconut, areca nut, plantain, cocoa, and nutmeg. Farmers in areas like Kodenchery, Maruthongara, and Kavilumpara want stronger protection measures because many have not received proper payment for their crop losses and are finding it hard to repay farm loans as farm income drops.

Context

Human-wildlife conflict is a growing issue in many hilly regions across India where forest borders meet farming communities. Installing solar fences is a common method used to keep animals away from human settlements without harming them.