Fences on private lands in jumbo corridor to go

OOTY: In the next course of action in the Segur Valley Elephant Corridor located in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), all electrified fences on private lands in the corridor are to be soon removed to make passage comfortable for migrating elephants.

While the district administration here took steps to close down unauthorised tourist cottages and resorts in the corridor in August, complying to the apex court directions, the next course of action also would commence according to court directions.

Data shows that the Segur Valley Elephant Corridor stretches over a length of 22 kms between the Singara and Siriyoor woods in the Segur reserve forests that are now placed under the jurisdiction of the buffer zone of MTR.

While about 5,000 acres of private lands are said to be falling in the corridor, an estimated 800 structures, including tourist cottages/resorts, have come up on these private lands over the decades.

The apex court which ordered restoration of the Segur Valley Jumbo Corridor in July, ordered removal of all power fences in the elephant corridor, on Wednesday.

When contacted, Collector of the Nilgiris, Ms. J. Innocent Divya, said that she heard about the court directions in this regard, but is yet to receive an official communication.

Deputy Director of MTR, Mr. Pushpakaran, said that only after going through the court orders would a clear picture emerge as to whether only power fences or barbed wire fences also should be removed.

Meanwhile, Green activists here want the district administration to remove encroachments on revenue lands in the elephant corridor, as several people who have encroached revenue lands, have also taken to farming by installing such fences.