Trenches to prevent elephants mooted

Newindpress.com June 26 2007 VELLORE: In order to avoid elephants frequently trespassing on their property, villagers here have come up with the idea of deep trenches along the border as a viable solution to the man-animal conflict. The other suggestions included the formation of solar fencing along the forest border and an insurance package to provide speedier compensation. It may be recalled that a herd of 13 elephants damaged crops and huts in the border villages near Pernambut in the Vellore forest division last week. On Sunday, another herd of nine elephants (including two calves) damaged crops and property in the Periyankuppam forest area in the Tirupattur Forest division. Though the forest department formed special teams of officials, NGOs, and village forest committees, armed with crackers, drums and search lights, they could not tackle elephants which moved in herds. To read the full story click on the blog title