Haridwar: In a bid to protect residential areas from wild elephants, the forest department in Haridwar has started installing bamboo solar fencing. This initiative aims to provide a cheap and durable solution to the problem of elephants wandering into populated areas.
In Haridwar, it has become common to see wild animals, especially elephants, entering residential areas. Elephants have been constantly seen roaming in populated areas, causing fear and concern among the residents. To address this issue, the forest department decided to use bamboo solar fencing to keep elephants away from these areas.
For the past six months, elephants have been frequently moving into residential areas
Efforts by the Forest Department Haridwar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vaibhav Singh stated that for the past six months, elephants have been frequently moving into residential areas. Initially, the department considered installing solar fencing with iron poles, but these poles were often stolen. As a result, bamboo solar fencing was chosen as a more practical and cost-effective option.
Ongoing trials
Currently, bamboo solar fencing has been installed in a 2 km area. If successful, this method will be implemented in other locations as well. Singh mentioned that while elephants have broken the fencing at some places, it has shown positive results in many areas. Singh told News9live that this experiment has proved successful and the forest department will use this method in other areas of Haridwar as per the fund availability. The two km area near Matrisadan has been covered by bamboo solar fencing.
Old corridors are blocked due to newly developed colonies
The forest department faces challenges due to the movement of elephants in their old corridors, where people have now built houses and started farming. To reduce elephant movement in these areas, the department plans to work with the community to make changes in farming practices. Additionally, there are plans to build boundary walls in several places.
Recent elephant attacks in nearby areas of Haridwar
In the first week of January, a tragic incident occurred in Doiwala, where a husband and wife collecting grass in the forest were trampled to death by an elephant. This incident has created an atmosphere of mourning and panic in the village. Apart from this, elephants are often seen on highways, streets, fields, university campuses, and even near banquet halls and liquor shops. Their presence has become a common sight, making residents fearful. Elephants are now seen during morning walks, in the evening, and at night, both in villages and cities. It appears that elephants have adapted to living among people.
Elephants have now ventured out of the park and are roaming in various parts of the city
For the past two months, herds of elephants have been moving through different areas of Haridwar. The Rajaji Tiger Reserve Park, adjacent to Haridwar city, is known as the home of elephants. However, elephants have now ventured out of the park and are roaming in various parts of the city, making it difficult for residents to go about their daily activities. With the wedding season in full swing, guests find it challenging to reach event venues due to the presence of elephants. Moreover, residents have to wait for long periods to travel from one area to another, always fearing an elephant attack. They constantly worry about the possibility of elephants appearing suddenly.
