Responding to the demand of farmers, the Forest Department has decided to erect solar fences in select locations under the Valayam and Chekiyad grama panchayats where wild elephants recently strayed into agriculture fields and destroyed crops in large acres.
Officials said the work would be completed on the basis of a joint proposal from the two panchayats. As a temporary solution, three guards, trained in managing the wild elephant menace, would be posted at the problem sites, they said.
Following frequent complaints from farmers, panchayat authorities had recently convened a meeting to discuss the issue. Forest Department officers too had turned up for the meeting that stressed the need for the speedy completion of the solar fencing work.
Farmers in the area said they were facing huge financial crisis because of the issue. Even in the day time, one could spot elephants in fields, posing a threat to residents in the area, they said.
Some of the farmers who suffered huge losses also appealed to panchayat authorities to take up their compensation requests with the State government. Panchayat authorities said a few of them were also in need of free ration which would be taken up with the Civil Supplies Department for consideration.