B. Kothakota (Chittoor): In a bid to prevent wild elephants from destroying the crops in Chittoor district, the forest department has prepared an action plan to dig up trenches all along the cultivated areas at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore.
Chief conservator of forests (CCF), Anantap-ur, Mr Sridhar, disclosed this while addressing for-est officers of the region at Horsley Hills in Chit-toor district on Monday. He said that the constant attacks by the pachyderms at Kuppam and Palamaner areas led the government to come out with the proposal to dig up trenches for 240 km.
According to the CCF, the forest wing follow cost-effective Karnataka model with respect to trenches, measuring three meters width and three metre depth.
The government also increased the compensation for loss of life to Rs 5 lakh and crop damages to Rs 6,000 per acre in elephant attacks. In case of coconut and mango gardens, the compensation will be Rs 1,500 per tree.
The CCF said that they have prepared an action plan to plant 90 lakh seedlings in the forest area and nurseries are being raised spending Rs 1.50 crore. Out of 90 lakh, 10 lakh will be given free of cost and the balance for reasonable price to the farmers.
The department also planning to raise Sriga-ndham (sanders) plants in 1,250 acres. Chittoor DFO Chakrapani was also present in the meeting among others.
