As part of its efforts to reduce man-animal conflicts, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs.2.22 crore for digging trenches and installing sirens in the Valparai forests. Crops normally consumed by elephants will also be grown there.
This is the third phase of the measures taken by the government in the wake of wild animals entering human habitats. Increasing population and industrialisation have affected the natural habitats of animals thereby forcing them to stray into places where human beings lived in search of food and water.
To find a solution to the problem, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had already ordered implementation of a multi-point programme including improvement of animal habitats, creation of barriers on the forest borders and awareness among villagers and payment of compensation in the event of damage to crops or loss of lives.
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In the first phase, Rs.4.30 crore was allocated for constructing moats in Coimbatore district to prevent elephants from crossing over to human habitations. Following this, similar steps were ordered to be taken in Dharmapuri, Erode, Dindigul and Tirunelveli districts at a total cost of Rs.5.19 crore.