Sullia: The forest department has dug several trenches to capture wild elephants to prevent them from destroying crops.
The department is digging trenches in Aletti West Forest region and Mandekolu village which are badly hit by frequent wild elephant attacks.

A project of Rs 60 lacs is underway, digging 18.695 km of trenches and it is at the final stage.

From the last two years, Mandekolu, Ajjavara, Aletti and other nearby villages suffered huge loss due to frequent elephant attacks. The villagers had demanded a permanent solution for the attacks. The forest department swung into action and started digging trenches last year.

Trenches are dug from Mavanji to Mailatipare in Mandekolu, Mailatipare to Adbangaya, Kanyana to Vadambale, Yerakkalapady, Kalladka, Peraje, Akkappady, Kanemaradka, Bengathalamale, Kuntapare, Bolugalu, Pathikallu and other places.

The forest officials said that earlier a trench as long as 8 kms was dug in Mandekolu and next year they have a plan to dig a 20km trench. The work is almost in the final stage. It is estimated that to prevent elephant attacks, they need to dig a trench of 60 kms.

Subramanya has also faced several elephant attacks. A 13.25km trench has been dug in the region at the cost of Rs 42 lacs.

Sullia taluk too had their share of elephant attacks. Following a series of wild elephant attacks, the government has announced several projects like solar fence construction, trenches. Now the villagers are hoping that the trenches would prevent these attacks.

The State government has announced a project of solar fence construction for the purpose of preventing elephant attacks for agriculturists staying in border areas. The government will be paying 50% of the expenses for the fence construction. Agriculturists residing in border areas of forests have already applied for the same.

Forest conservation officer N H Jagannath said that solar fences will be built where there are no trenches and government will provide financial aid to the agriculturalists in this regard.