Kozhikode, Kerala: In a move to reduce the increasing conflict between humans and wild elephants in the state, the Kerala Forest Department has launched a mission to map all elephant tracks and fencing along forest boundaries digitally. 

This step is being taken to prevent solar fences from being installed across natural elephant paths, which have led to rising incidents of wild elephants straying into human settlements.

According to Assistant Forest Conservator and Mission Fencing Officer MK Sameer, the department is preparing a detailed digital map of elephant tracks, fencing, and forest borders across Kerala.

“Instead of installing fencing across such places, alternative methods will be adopted to prevent elephants from entering residential areas,” he said.

Many existing fences are blocking the elephants' traditional movement routes, especially near water sources. This obstruction is believed to be a major reason for the rise in elephant intrusions into populated areas.

Once digital mapping is completed, officials will be able to identify the exact locations of fencing and natural elephant corridors. This will help create long-term strategies to minimise man-animal conflict.

Solar fencing progress and gaps

So far, Kerala has installed about 1,919 km of solar fencing to keep elephants out of human settlements. However, 580 km of this fencing was left unmaintained, and another 4,355 km of forest boundary still lacks fencing.

Previously, when fences were damaged, they were often left unrepaired for weeks. This delay has led to repeated elephant intrusions in several districts.

Task force and daily inspections

To address the problem, the Forest Department has decided to form a dedicated task force at each forest station. The teams will include forest officials and local representatives who will inspect fencing daily and resolve any issues on the same day.

Training for the task force has already begun, and tool rooms with repair equipment will be operational at all forest stations by September 30, officials confirmed.

After receiving training, forest department employees themselves have started installing and maintaining solar fences in many areas, without relying on private contractors.

In Chethalayam, Wayanad, forest staff installed 2 km of fencing independently. Similar efforts are expected to expand across other regions.