The State Government is implementing several projects such as digging trenches and installing infrared-enabled early warning systems to prevent human-animal conflicts, according to Forest Minister M.S.M. Anandan.
At a function that was organised at Iruttupallam Forest Office near here on Wednesday, he said that the Government was providing Rs. 3 lakh as aid to those families whose crops were damaged by animals.
Further, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had announced financial relief for the two forest guards who sustained injuries during rescue operation of a wild bear that fell into a dry well near Krishnagiri on Sunday.
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District Collector M. Karunagaran said that Coimbatore district had a long border with the forest areas in the Western Ghats in places such as Valparai and Thondamuthur.
These areas witnessed frequent human-animal conflict and several measures had been taken in the past two years to curb them. A large number of trees were also being planted to protect the forests.
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Aid totalling Rs. 1.85 lakh was disbursed under various social welfare schemes to 19 persons during the function.
The Minister visited the kumki elephant camp (for trained elephants) at Chadivayal in the foothills of Siruvani, about 23km from Coimbatore.
Kumkis are used to rescue wild elephants in distress and also chase wild elephants back into the forests when they stray into human inhabitations, according to a press release that was issued here.