AP To Use Solar Fencing To Reduce Human-Jumbo Conflicts

AP To Use Solar Fencing To Reduce Human-Jumbo Conflicts

The Andhra Pradesh government has planned to use solar energy in the state to tackle the issue of human-elephant conflict in Chittoor district. The state forest department has now issued a tender to erect tentacle-handling solar fencing around the Musalimandugu Elephant Camp in the Palamaner Forest Range.

This comes after several states have tried using solar fencing to ward off the threat of human-animal conflicts or to save agricultural produce from animal attacks. The regional office of the forest department has earmarked Rs 24.53 lakh to undertake the solar fencing work. The office of the Chittoor District Forest Officer has planned to install solar fencing over a 3 km length near the elephant habitat in the forest range.

Technical Specifications

The tender for solar fencing for the project said that the energizer should have a solar panel option to recharge a 12-volt battery. Talking about the solar modules, it said that the solar modules to be used in these projects must be of 74 watts. The bidders can use 12 volts with a minimum of 10 years of warranty against any manufacturing defects. It also mandated the use of a 12V/8A solar charger with protections for these projects.

Regarding the module stand, it asked for MS hot-dip galvanized technology. The tender mandated the use of only Exide or Amaraja batteries of 12 volts 90/100 Ah with a guarantee of two years.

“Tenderer must be a manufacturer of Electronic system for which approval is being sought and also registered with Forest Department & to submit proof of experience for the last 5 years in the similar field. Tenderer must have valid system approval certificate from any Government body. Certificate should be issued on or after 1st July 2019,” the solar fencing tender said.

It also added that the vendors must take care of the maintenance of these projects with the help of a person from the local community. “Tenderer must have executed at least 15 Lakhs worth orders from any Government Department in India in the financial year 2022-23 or 2023-24 (proof of the same to be enclosed). Local person to maintain the infrastructure for three (3) years @ 50000/ per year.”

Tryst of Other States with Solar Fencing

Prior to this tender, several other states have also floated tenders for solar fencing where solar energy is used to reduce animal-human conflicts. For example, this year, the Maharashtra government issued tenders to use the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds to deploy solar fencing in 160 villages in the Yavatmal district.

In Assam, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) also issued bids in July of this year for the installation of solar fences. In Uttar Pradesh, the State Bank of India (SBI) issued a tender for solar fencing for its Kanpur SBILD branch. The Kerala government in 2024 also issued a tender for 29.55 kilometers of solar fencing around the Thirumani colony to Mannathippara in the Machad Range to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

In 2016, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department also made a request to the state farmers to opt for solar fencing to reduce such conflicts.