Chennai: Forest minister Dindigul C. Sreenivsasan on Tuesday announced that a new forest policy will be formed and said that the state would follow the Africa’s beehive fence technology to keep elephants from straying into residential areas.
Admitting that the stray elephants were posing danger to humans and periodically raiding the crops in western districts, the minister said that the new fences with bee hives will come up a to a distance of 120 km covering 110 villages. The new fences will come up at a cost of Rs 1.28 crore.
Replying to the debate on the grants for his department in the Assembly, the minister said that the state would also establish an elite forest force with high-end gadgets using special funds.
There is a need for a highly equipped team with modern trainings to protect the TN forests. The elite force besides the rescue operations will also focus on encroachments and address human-wildlife conflicts in hilly terrains, he said.
The minister also noted that Rs 5 crore will be spent to increase the wireless technology of the state forest department. The department will also spend Rs 46 lakh to establish an orchid farm in Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The state will also found the research projects in Anamalai hills, the minister added.
Meanwhile IT minister M. Manikandan informed the Assembly that IT parks will be established in Ramanathapuram and Cuddalore. Similarly a Centre of Eexcellence Fin Tech in Chennai will be established. Replying to the debate on the grants for his department, the minister also said that the number of channels provided in Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable Corporation will be increased from 50 to 100 by providing over the top services through Arasu cable.
The state will also periodically conduct audits to review the cyber attacks and take preventive measures from virus attacks, the minister added.
