Focus will be on studying the movement of elephants and reducing the loss of property and lives of both humans and elephants in the man-animal conflict prone Coimbatore Division, said S. Ramasubramanian, who assumed office as the new District Forest Officer (DFO) here recently.
“With days left for the monsoon, there will be movement of elephants from Kerala to Coimbatore, Coimbatore to The Nilgiris and from there to Sathyamangalam based on availability of fodder. They will be monitored round the clock to study the root cause of the conflicts,” he said.
He said that in consultation with the regional conservator and chief wildlife warden, a proposal would be sent to the department to increase the strength of anti-poaching watchers (APWs) and budget based on the need in the areas where the human-animal conflicts have gone up.
“The role of APWs is pivotal in preventing conflicts and in preserving the forest,” he said.
The DFO said that on studying the ground reality the department would work on a road map to put an end to the issues.
The department was also keen on working with NGOs, village forest committees at the forest boundaries and various government departments to protect the forest from encroachments, tree felling, poaching and forest fires.
Mr. Ramasubramaniam, a 1998 batch IFS officer, is a forestry graduate from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
He underwent training at Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
He was also the DFO of The Nilgiris North Division, Sathyamangalam, Sivagangai and Harur in Dharmapuri.
It was during his tenure as DFO of Sathyamangalam a proposal was sent to the government to form STR.
He has also served as the eco development officer in the Gulf of Munnar biosphere in Ramnad District and wildlife warden in Nagapattinam District.