25-05-2025
Terengganu to plant Napier grass as food for wild elephants to reduce conflicts
KUALA TERENGGANU: The cultivation of Napier grass as an alternative food source for wild elephants is among the initiatives proposed by the Terengganu government to address wildlife conflicts in the state.
In addition to planting the grass, the state government is also proposing the installation of an electric fence system, the establishment of volunteer ranger teams and the implementation of lighting systems.
State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said all logging areas, especially along elephant routes, would be planted with Napier grass once the tree-felling activities were completed.
He said the state government, in collaboration with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), would identify and prepare designated roaming areas for wild elephants before planting the Napier grass there.
"So far, the government has spent RM3.5 million to install approximately 89.5km of electric fence to prevent conflicts with these animals.
"We will also set up two more volunteer ranger teams in the districts of Kemaman and Setiu as an early preventive measure against wild elephant intrusions," he said.
Razali, who is Kijal assemblyman, was commenting on the issue of wild elephant conflicts in the state. Terengganu has been identified among the five states facing disturbances from wild elephants.
He said the Basung Ranger team, comprising 60 per cent local residents and other personnel from the police, the Hulu Terengganu district office and Perhilitan, had been effective in addressing the issue of wild elephant encroachments since its formation in January.
He added that the state government also planned to increase lighting systems in all areas identified as elephant hotspots to deter the animals from entering and destroying crops.
"We will install solar-powered lights in areas where elephant intrusions frequently occur," he said.
Regarding compensation for crop damage caused by wild elephants, Razali said the state government, through the Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee, had established a state disaster fund of RM2 million annually to support the agricultural sector, which frequently faced natural disasters and livestock diseases, as well as other unexpected calamities.
