To protect the farmers’ crops, Punjab Government has decided to carry out complete chain link fencing in the forest areas at the cost of Rs 12 crores.
“Punjab Government has decided to go in for chain link fencing in the forest areas totalling 57.38 kms in length so as to protect the crops of the farmers. The Endeavour would cost Rs 1212.87 lakhs to the state exchequer,” said the state Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot on Thursday.
Dharamsot said that after the implementation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Punjab has seen increase in numbers of Nilgai, Wild Boar and Sambar. “Although this is regarded as an achievement from the aspect of wildlife protection, but with the increasing numbers of wild animals, the farmers have to bear the brunt of losses when the animals destroy their crops,” he said.
“This constant man-animal conflict forces the farmers to be on constant vigil day in and day out to guard their crops,” said the Minister adding that the problem was all the more grave in Patiala because it has six wildlife sanctuaries.
“This has resulted in the government decision to opt for chain link fencing of the sanctuaries situated in Patiala district in order to protect crops as well as the wild animals,” he said adding that Bir Bhore Agoul, Bir Maliankheri, Bir Bahadurgarh, Bir Chhoti Bhunerheri, Bir Kheri Gujjaran and Bir Miranpur Goghpur falling in the Patiala division would be covered.
The wildlife sanctuary at Takhni Rehmapur in Hoshiarpur district has been equipped with solar fencing over a perimeter of 1.347 kms, he added.