Maharashtra Plans Solar Fence in 1173 Villages

Solar Fence to comes up in Maharashtra

Maharashtra government has come up with a major project on solar fencing. The project is estimated to be at Rs. 50 crore. Planned to be carried out in a phase wise  manner, the first phase will cover 1173 villages and will benefit 33,000 beneficiaries.

Talking to Saur Energy, a senior official, PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests) elaborated , “The scheme is being implemented under Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Jan Van Yojana, mainly to avoid man-animal conflict covering 1173 villages in the first phase. It will be completed this year  benefiting 33,000 families in the State. The government will be bearing 75% (Rs 15,000) of the estimated cost and 25% (Rs 5000) of the  cost will be born by an individual.”

Crop damage is the biggest issue for the farmers and the State had to compensate for the same. Thus, the solar fence will be built with the aim of protecting farms from cattle grazing and protect the crops from getting damaged, informed the official and further added that the tenders for the project have already been issued in different circles.

When asked about the support for the maintenance of the fence, the official informed that the individual would get five years’ support to maintain the fence, “If the fence is maintained properly, it will tremendously help farmers to protect crops,” said the official. He hoped that the properly maintained fence will definitely inspire others to install and maintain them properly for their own benefit.

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Jan-Van Vikas Scheme on July 23, 2015. Under the scheme, the man-animal conflict will be curbed by reducing the dependence of villagers on forest and boost the supplementary business to farming activities and create alternative employment possibilities in these areas.