Solar fencing to check elephant movements on Karnataka-Kerala border

MANGALURU: Karnataka and Kerala would erect solar fence in Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district to check the menace of elephants traversing between the two states.

The decision was taken at a meeting of forest department officials from the two states held at Bantwal in the district yesterday, Karnataka Forests and Environment Minister B Ramanath Rai said today.

Elephants from Kerala frequently strayed into Karnataka destroying habitations in the region including Mandekolu, Ajjavara, and Alletty in Sullia taluk bordering Kerala, Rai, who is also the DK district-in-charge, said.

Herds of elephants had been causing havoc in the area destroying coconut, arecanut, and banana plantations and damaging standing crops of farmers. The constant movement of elephants on the border had also instilled fear among the residents in the area, Rai said in a release here.

He said forest department officials of both the states would take up all necessary measures to prevent the cross-border movement of herds causing fear among the people.

The work on the solar fencing would be completed within two months, he said.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, who was also present at the meeting held at Rai's office, said solar fencing was the only solution to check the menace.