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Mrudul Godbole
19-09-2012, 10:45 PM
Green fodder banks to curb man-animal conflict
Sep 18, 2012, 12.58AM IST

COIMBATORE: In a bid to reduce the growing incidence of man-animal conflict in Coimbatore region, the Tamil Nadu forest department plans to develop green fodder banks in key elephant populated areas in the district at a cost of Rs 3.45 crore.

According to district forest officer V Thirunavukarasu, green fodder banks would be developed in a total of 240 hectares identified in Solakarai near Walayar, Athikadavu near Karamadai, Sadhanakola and Odanthurai in Mettupalayam, Thanikandi in Boluvampatti, Koodapatti in Periyanaickenpalayam and Kulukumaduvu near Sirumugai.

Planting of trees would begin with the onset of the North East monsoon. Once the trees reach maturity, they will ensure rich fodder for jumbos during dry months. With adequate fodder inside the forest area, the animals will not be inclined to stray outside.

Saplings have already been developed in a special nursery at Mettupalayam. They include pipel, banyan, wild mango, wild jack fruit, bamboo and teak varieties. Seeds of two grass varieties will also be sowed in the forest areas. A few water ponds will be created close to the green fodder banks.

``Initially, we planned to plant the trees in June with the arrival of South West monsoon. But the failed monsoon changed our plans," said Thirunavukarasu. According to him, this is the first phase of the project and areas like Thondamuthur, Anaikatti, Kurudampalayam and Mangarai in the Western ghats will be included in it in the next phase.

The fodder bank idea was formulated after chief minister J Jayalalithaa suggested that steps be taken to ensure green fodder inside the forests. A government order in this regard was released on December 14, 2011 by principal secretary to government C V Sankar. The GO permits the forest department to create fodder plantations to improve wildlife habitats for a five-year period commencing January. The amount released for this purpose across is Rs 22 crore.

The project would focus on cultivating grass and trees of indigenous species. "There would be two kinds of plants and trees, those which can meet immediate consumption needs and those which moderately grow but ensure a permanent fodder bank,'' said Thirunavukarasu.

The department is also building salt licks near water holes in the migratory corridor to supplement the mineral requirement of elephants with the expectation that the jumbos will stay within the restricted migratory route and not stray into human habitations. Construction of check dams and percolation ponds will satisfy the thirst of animals in summer and also facilitate storage in water bodies, the official said.

"An adult elephant consumes 240kg to 260kg of food every day. It spends at least 18 hours grazing. Over 70% of its food needs are available in the reserved forest. In Coimbatore, the green bank will come up in 100 hectares in reserved forests frequented by elephant herds," said Thirunavukarasu.

Saktipada Panigrahi
10-10-2012, 11:53 AM
Replanting is proposed with indigenous plants and not exotics, about which I think, it is a step in the right direction. And yet, I feel some areas should be fully protected from human trespasses and activities. Pristine vegetation will come back with time if that area is left alone. About grasses I have no idea, I can only look back to Kanha meadow and that the blackbuck population was totally wiped out !
Let us hope for the success of the project.Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

Sabyasachi Patra
14-10-2012, 10:54 AM
Calling it fodder bank is atrocious. Are we equating the elephants with cattle? Our thought process has to be run much deeper than this.

If the top soil is not gone, then it will have the ability to grow back the native vegetation. We have the ability to plant several species of trees, however to recreate the complex web of inter-relationships of various species of trees, plants, shrubs, grasses etc is only achievable by nature.

The challenge is with all the invasives the native vegetation finds it difficult to compete. Especially the lantana needs uprooting and burning repeatedly before the patch can become clean. The British were the first to slash/burn our native vegetation and plant hundreds of hectares of teak plantation. So now some helping hand in terms of planting native vegetation will help. However, if one looks at the type of vegetation eaten by elephants, it is diverse. Starting from weeds, plants, grasses, fruits and leaves and barks of trees etc, the elephants diet is balanced and spread over many species. The Government can and is planning only a few species. Have the planned which trees will fruit in which season? It is important for the elephants to find food throughout the year and also it ought to be nutritious.

Sabyasachi