The State Government is implementing a Rs 45.79-crore five-year plan for development of 14 elephant corridors (movement paths) so far identified in various jungles of the State.
Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed this in the Assembly in a written reply to a question of BJD MlA Ranedra Pratap Swain on Tuesday. He said the plan is being implemented for five years from 2012-13 to 2016-16.
He further informed that no elephant corridor has been identified in any of jungles under the Athagarh Assembly constituency as the Government is yet to know about movement of elephants on a specific path there.
However, he informed that a total of 51.34 km solar wire fencing has been erected in the Athagarh area to protect lives and wealth of people from jumbos. Besides, a watch tower in the Sukashan forest and VHF facilities in different forests have been erected to keep vigil on movements of the pachyderms. This apart, five elephant squads comprising 25 local people have been constituted for the purpose.
The Minister said compensations are being provided to compensate loses caused by elephants as for the Section 45 of the Wildlife Protectin Odisha Rules 1974.