Solar fencing project hits roadblock due to delay in felling trees

A solar hanging fencing project implemented at Poovaranthode in Koodaranhi grama panchayat, aimed at mitigating the growing menace of wild animal encroachments in the region, has been thrown into limbo due to delays in felling and removal of about 320 trees along the project corridor.

A joint meeting of forest officials, residents, elected representatives and agriculture department officials was recently held at Poovaranthod to review the project and discuss the future course of action. The contractor of the project was also present at the meeting, which was called because the work was not progressing according to the schedule.

The project envisaged installation of 16 km long solar curtain wall from Mannarpoyil to Olikkal for which ₹1.25 crore was sanctioned. Of the total section, only 9 km of fencing was completed and supplied. According to farmers, there are no reported cases of wild animal encroachment in the completed stretch. However, work on the remaining 7 km has stopped.

Officials said trees along the forest boundary have to be felled and removed before fencing can be done on the remaining stretch. Although a tender was issued for felling the trees, the contractor later withdrew from the contract due to insufficient financial viability.

Due to the suspension of tree removal work, the remaining fencing project has also been suspended. The participants of the meeting discussed the possibility of creating a people’s committee that would undertake the felling of trees. They noted that if even this effort fails, the future of the project could be in jeopardy.

Farmers used the opportunity to express concern over the repeated raids by wild elephants in the area, which have caused widespread damage to crops in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Koodaranhi grama panchayat president Boby Shibu said the local body is awaiting a response from the main contractor on how to proceed with the project. “The project is in limbo. Trees need to be felled and removed to implement the project in the remaining part. We expect the contractor to come up with the recipe in the coming days,” Ms Shibu said.

Published – 30 May 2026 19:46 IST