Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday allocated Rs 2.81 crore for sinking of deep bore wells and building overhead tanks to supply water within forest areas, with a view to prevent wild animals from straying into human habitatations during the summer.
The move would check the loss of lives and damage to public property due to man-animal conflicts. The bore wells would be around 400 feet deep with solar-powered submersible pumps, a government statement said.
Some of these bore wells would also have overhead tanks nearby to store water. Water from the tanks would be supplied in open spaces so that animals can quench their thirst whenever they want. Water from overhead tanks would also be used to water plants and put out forest fires.
Bore wells would be sunk at the tiger reserves in Anamalai, Mudumalai, Kalakkadu, Mundanthurai and Sathyamangalam at a cost of Rs 44 lakh.
As part of the same project, 26 deep bore wells without overhead tanks would be set up at tiger reserves and the forest areas in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Coimbatore and Vellore districts, at a total cost of Rs 2.37 crore.
The State government has been implementing multi-pronged strategies to avoid human-animal conflict along forest areas by growing crops desired by wild animals within forest limits, setting up fences, creating awareness among villagers and providing immediate financial assistance to people attacked by wild animals, the statement added.