Clearing the trees and shrubs off the elephant fence area funded by A/L 94 Friends in Canada
As Panchenai is located near deep forest that is a natural habitat for wild elephants, they routinely attack this village in search of food such as corn, peanut and rice. Although there is a nine-kilometer long electric fence along the elephant crossing border, elephants frequently damage the fence and enter into the village.
Anpuneri funded guards from the village now patrol the border along the fence during nights to protect the village and crops from the wild elephants. They beat tin (“thakaram”), light fires, shout and firing firecrackers to try to chase away the wild elephants.
Anpuneri-Panchenai Village Development Society submitted a proposal to remove the trees and shrubs 15 feet on both side of the 9 km long elephant fence. The benefits are following:
Elephants would avoid damaging the fence if the fence is visible from distance.
Guards can see elephants when they approach the fence and chase them before damaging the fence.
It is feasible to create a natural fence consisting of more than thousands of palmyrah and citrus trees along the fence, as elephants avoid areas with these trees.
It is easy to maintain the fence and patrol along the fence.
During the Anpuneri’s BBQ 2017, A/L 94 friends in Canada came forward to take care of the expenses of cleaning the trees and shrubs. Anpuneri-Panchenai Village Development Society has completed this task in July 2017 using more 70 hours of heavy equipment with the help of four men for 7 days. Anpuneri and the Village Development Society thank A/L 94 friends in Canada for their generous sponsorship.
