Solar fencing project hits roadblock over delay in tree felling

The solar hanging fencing project being implemented at Poovaranthode in Koodaranhi grama panchayat, aimed at mitigating the growing menace of wild animal incursions in the region, has run into uncertainty due to delays in felling and removing around 320 trees along the project corridor.

A joint meeting of Forest officials, residents, elected representatives, and Agriculture department officials was recently held at Poovaranthode to review the project and discuss the future course of action. The project contractor was also present at the meeting, which was convened as the work was not progressing according to schedule.

The project envisaged the installation of a 16-km solar hanging fence from Mannarpoyil to Olikkal, for which ₹1.25 crore had been sanctioned. Of the total stretch, only 9 km of fencing has been completed and energised. According to farmers, no incidents of wild animal intrusion have been reported in the completed section. However, work on the remaining 7 km has come to a standstill.

Officials said trees along the forest boundary need to be felled and removed before fencing work can be carried out on the remaining stretch. Although a tender had been awarded for the tree-felling work, the contractor later withdrew from the agreement, citing a lack of financial viability.

With the tree removal work stalled, the remaining fencing project has also been held up. Participants at the meeting discussed the possibility of forming a people’s committee to undertake the tree-felling work. They noted that if this effort also failed, the future of the project could be at risk.

Farmers used the occasion to raise concerns about recurring wild elephant incursions in the area, which have caused extensive crop damage in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Koodaranhi grama panchayat president Boby Shibu said the local body was awaiting a response from the main contractor on how to proceed with the project. “The project is in limbo. Trees need to be felled and removed to implement the project in the remaining portion. We expect the contractor to come up with a formula in the coming days,” Ms. Shibu said.