Latest news with #Kandasamy
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers' association in Coimbatore sceptical of installing steel wire fences along forest fringes to prevent human-animal conflict
A farmers' association in Coimbatore has expressed scepticism over the effectiveness of steel wire fences at select stretches of Coimbatore Forest Division to prevent human-animal conflict. Referring to two stretches identified for installation of steel wire fences along a 10-km distance from Thondamuthur in Boluvampatti Forest Range and Thadagam in Coimbatore Forest Range, State general secretary of Vivasayigal Sangam said the Forest Department ought to evaluate the utility of the project rather than implementing it for the sole reason that funds have been sanctioned. A sum of ₹7 crore has been allotted by the Government for the project, it is learnt. While the iron fencing has been found to be useful along the plains abutting the forest, the utility is low at 'bottle-neck' points where wild animal intrusions happen mostly, Mr. Kandasamy said. He referred to the instance of Bannerghatta National Park where, in addition to the different types of physical barriers: solar electric fences, elephant proof trenches, rubble walls, concrete walls, concrete moats, spike pillars spike gates and mesh barriers, the Forest department in Karnataka was also exploring the utility of railway line barrier, by using steel rails from old railway tracks. The August 2024 report of a study carried out under Project Elephant, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India and Wildlife Institute of India, suggesting measures to mitigate Asian Elephant-Train collisions on vulnerable train stretches also throws light on the effectiveness of railway line barrier. The Forest Department had, during April, stalled works on steel wire fencing in deference to a directive of High Court. The petitioner had called for stoppage of the works till elephant corridors are established.
New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
After four-year wait, TAHDCO to give Irulars new homes by Aug 15
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) Managing Director KS Kandasamy on Thursday inspected Mannur and Katrambakkam villages in Kancheepuram, where the administration is building 44 and 36 houses respectively for Irular families at Rs 4.05 crore. The beneficiaries were given land titles in November 2021 and April 2022 and have been waiting for the administration to help build homes, while their families faced floods, rodents and snakes in temporary hutments near waterbodies. Besides officials, members of the Sriperumbudur Irular Makkal Nala Sangam were also present at the event where TAHDCO MD Kandasamy assured that the houses would be handed over to the beneficiaries by August 15. The houses are being constructed under the 'Tholkudi' scheme with funding from TAHDCO. Kandasamy also instructed the officials to construct the houses as per the requirements of the beneficiaries. 'A senior IAS officer gave us an assurance that the promises will be delivered on,' said Kavitha Thandoni, said a beneficiary in Mannur.
