Hanging solar fences effective in controlling wild elephants

Mangaluru: A new innovation in the form of hanging solar fences (Solar Tentacles Hanging Fencing) has proven to be effective in preventing elephant intrusions from forest areas into villages within the Western Ghats region of Dakshina Kannada district.

Unlike traditional solar fences, which intelligent elephants often toppled, destroyed, or bypassed, the hanging solar fences have shown better results. Other methods like elephant trenches and railway track fences have also been attempted, but the hanging solar fence has proven superior in trials.

Initially installed in areas like Sullia, Subrahmanya, and Beltangady in Dakshina Kannada district, the hanging solar fences have successfully controlled elephant intrusions, according to local forest rangers.

How It Works

The hanging solar fence differs from conventional fixed solar fences. It involves installing iron poles about 10-12 feet tall at specific intervals. Electric wires are strung between the poles, with additional wires hanging down from them. When an elephant comes into contact with these hanging wires, it receives an electric shock. Since the wires are hanging, they cannot be cut or damaged by falling trees, and the poles are also protected from being toppled by elephants.

This method has been implemented in other states as well, and after its success in areas like Nagarahole and Bandipur, it has been adopted in Dakshina Kannada. According to Manjunath, the Forest Range Officer in Sullia, the fences have been installed in Ajjavara, with positive results.

Maintenance of these fences is simple, requiring only regular clearing of weeds and bushes to prevent short circuits.

Extent of Installation

In the 2022-23 period, 6 km of hanging fences were installed in Sullia, 3 km in Subrahmanya, and 1 km in Uppinangady. For 2023-24, 2 km were installed in Beltangady, 5 km in Sullia, and 2 km in Subrahmanya. In 2024-25, 4 km of fences are being installed in Subrahmanya and 4.18 km in Puttur.

In the Subrahmanya range, specifically in the Aithoor and Kollamogaru areas, the solar tentacle fence has been installed with good results. The fence is placed 3 feet above the ground, allowing small animals to pass underneath without obstruction. Subrahmanya Range Officer Vimal Babu stated that there is a growing demand for these fences, and they will be installed as soon as funding is available.

Compared to railway track fences, hanging solar fences are less expensive. While the solar fence costs approximately ₹6.6 lakh per kilometer, a railway track fence can cost up to ₹1.2 crore per kilometer. Additionally, elephants are at risk of getting trapped and killed by railway track fences, whereas hanging fences pose no such risk. Maintaining elephant trenches, on the other hand, is challenging during the monsoon due to mud accumulation.

 “Hanging solar fences are cost-effective and safer than railway track fences, which can be deadly for elephants. While solar fences cost around ₹6.6 lakh per kilometer, railway track fences can cost up to ₹1.2 crore per kilometer.”
said Antony Mariappa, Deputy Forest Conservation Officer.

Translated version of Kannada article by Venu Vinod K S