TN Allocates Rs.20 Cr to Curb Human-elephant Conflict

In a statement marking World Elephant Day, the minister said Tamil Nadu would intensify efforts to protect elephant habitats, conserve traditional elephant corridors and promote harmonious coexistence between people and elephants. World Elephant Day is observed on August 12 every year to highlight elephant conservation and the need to protect their natural habitats.

Tamil Nadu has an estimated 3,170 wild elephants, according to the latest synchronized elephant population estimation. The State has five notified Elephant Reserves covering more than 9.1 lakh hectares, including the Nilgiri Elephant Reserve, one of the country’s major elephant landscapes.

The minister said changing land-use patterns, expansion of settlements along forest boundaries, habitat fragmentation and infrastructure projects had increased human-elephant interactions. To address the problem, the government is improving grass and fodder availability, augmenting water resources, restoring degraded forests, removing invasive species and undertaking soil and moisture conservation works.

Traditional elephant corridors are also being identified, secured and conserved to ensure the animals have safe passage between habitats. Existing elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fences will be maintained and strengthened, while new barriers will be created at vulnerable locations. Additional manpower will be deployed to patrol affected areas and safely drive elephants back into forests.

Technology is also being brought into the conflict mitigation programme. Artificial Intelligence-based monitoring and early-warning systems will be expanded in vulnerable areas to detect elephant movements and alert local communities and Forest Department personnel.

Ranjithkumar appealed to farmers, local youth and communities living near elephant habitats to immediately alert the forest department whenever elephants enter human settlements or farmland.