Odisha launched an innovative initiative: a solar-powered electric fence

Newsdesk:

Department of Forest in Odisha launched an innovative initiative: a solar-powered electric fence to safeguard paddy fields from elephants and other potential intruders. Elephant-impacted villages can opt for solar-fencing by submitting a proposal in their respective gram sabhas or gram panchayats. The villagers will pay for 10 per cent of the project cost while the Forest Department will bear the rest.The orchard-owners will also be able to participate in the solar-fencing scheme but with 50:50 cost-sharing ratios. This project has had both its successes and challenges, including issues with theft of fencing wire, and offers a valuable case study in wildlife-human conflict resolution.