The installation of hanging solar fences will be completed soon along the most vulnerable forest borders in Kozhikode district to address the concerns of upland farmers who recently suffered huge crop loss in wildlife attacks.

The project, recently launched by Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran, spanning around 64 km will cover select locations under Peruvannamuzhi, Kuttiyadi and Thamarassery ranges under the Forest department.

In Peruvannamuzhi, the project will extend its benefits to farmers in Alampara, Undamoola, Muthappanpuzha, Seethappara, and Chenkottakolly areas. Power fences will be installed at a cost of ₹2.72 crore to cover around 18 kilometres within the limits of Chakkittappara panchayat.

According to Forest department officers, the project under implementation in Kuttiyadi range will benefit farmers in Kavilumpara, Venimel and Narippatta panchayats. On completion, the hanging fences will cover a distance of 17.5 km.

In Thamarassery, the power fencing project will cover the most vulnerable areas in Thiruvambady, Kodenchery and Puthuppady grama panchayats. The plan is to cover about 12 kilometres. With the support of another scheme funded by the Agriculture department, a few more vulnerable stretches identified under the Thiruvambady and Koodaranji grama panchayats will also be protected with hanging fences. The plan is to cover a total of 16 kilometres. 

“Along with the installation of new fences, efforts are also under way to carry out the pending maintenance works for the previously erected ones in Peruvannamuzhi, Kuttiyadi and Thamarassery ranges,” said a senior Forest department officer. He said the maintenance work would ensure the proper functioning of all power fences covering about 27 kilometres.