Exploring Tamil Nadu’s Model for Addressing the Elephant Menace

Sub: Env

Sec: Species news

Why in News

Karnataka’s Environment Minister has directed Forest Department officials to explore the Tamil Nadu model for managing wild elephant intrusions, as an alternative to the costly railway barricades currently used in the state.

About Elephant:

Karnataka has the largest elephant population in India, leading to frequent incidents of human-elephant conflict, including attacks on humans and destruction of agricultural fields.
India is home to nearly 60% Asian elephants.
While the number of elephants in India has increased in the past few years, the species is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of threatened species and Schedule I of The Wildlife Protection Act.
The South Indian States of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are home to nearly 44% of India’s elephant population.
The number of elephant reserves in India is 33^rd with the latest addition being the Terai Elephant Reserve in 2022.
Challenges:
- continuous threat of poaching for ivory
- conflict with humans – On an average, about 500 humans and 100 elephants are killed every year across the country in such confrontations.
- Fragmentation of elephant habitats
- construction of linear (railways and roads) and power infrastructure
- change of land use, particularly bringing erstwhile forested areas under agriculture.

Project Elephant:

Launched in 1992 as a centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Aim is to ensure the long-term survival of elephants in their natural habitats.
Other goals of Project Elephant are supporting the research of the ecology and management of elephants, creating awareness of conservation among local people, providing improved veterinary care for captive elephants.
This strategy is mainly implemented in 16 of 28 states or union territories in the country.
So far, about 101 elephant corridors have been identified in the country which need to be secured for conservation of elephants.

Fencing Technologies for Wildlife Management:

Railway Barricades: Durable barriers made from decommissioned railway tracks, costing ₹1.5 crore/km.
Steel Rope Fences: Cost-effective alternative using steel ropes, costing ₹45 lakh/km.
Electric Fencing: Low-voltage wires delivering mild shocks, effective but requires maintenance.
Solar-Powered Fencing: Sustainable electric fencing powered by solar energy, ideal for remote areas.
Bio-Fencing: Natural barriers like thorny bushes or plants such as agave and cactus.
Beehive Fencing: Uses beehives to deter elephants, providing additional income through honey.
Acoustic Deterrents: Devices emitting predator sounds to scare wildlife, though animals may habituate.
Trench Fencing: Deep trenches to block animal movement, effective but labor-intensive.
Laser-Based Fencing: Invisible barriers with laser beams that trigger alerts upon breach.