Chandigarh: "The Punjab Government has decided to go in for chain link fencing in the forest areas totalling 57.38 KM in length so as to protect the crops of the farmers. This Endeavour would cost Rs. 1212.87 lakh to the state exchequer." This was disclosed by the Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister, Punjab, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot here today. 

The minister said that after the implementation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 the state has seen the increase in numbers of Nilgai, Wild Boar and Sambar. Although this is regarded as an achievement from the aspect of wildlife protection but with the increasing numbers of wild animals, the farmers have to bear the brunt of losses when the animals destroy their crops. 

This constant man-animal conflict forces the farmers to be on constant vigil day in and day out to guard their crops. The minister said that this problem was all the more grave in Patiala because it has 6 wildlife sanctuaries. This has resulted in the government decision to opt for chain link fencing of the sanctuaries situated in Patiala District in order to protect crops as well as the wild animals. 

The minister further said that the Bir Bhore Agoul, Bir Maliankheri, Bir Bahadurgarh, Bir Chhoti Bhunerheri, Bir Kheri Gujjaran and Bir Miranpur Goghpur falling in the Patiala Division would see the above amount being spent on their chainlink fencing. He also disclosed that the wildlife sanctuary at Takhni Rehmapur in Hoshiarpur District has been equipped with solar fencing over a perimeter of 1.347 KM.  

Dharamsot also detailed that 15.60 KM area of Bir Bhorey Agoul, 16.22 KM of Bir Maliankheri, Bir Bahadurgarh, Bir Chhoti Bhunerheri, Bir Kheri Gujjaran and 25.56 KM of Bir Miranpur Goghpur would undergo chainlink fencing. Dharamsot further divulged that earlier 3464.75 hectare area of Bir Bhadson, Bir Bhunerheri, Bir Motibagh, Bir Gurdialpura and Bir Dosanjh saw 57.30 KM long fencing on which Rs. 791.37 lakh were spent.