Taking measures to tackle human-wildlife conflict in Valparai

Chennai, Dec 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) A six-member Tamil Nadu forest Department-led committee constituted to address the escalating instances of human-wildlife conflicts in Valparai has proposed several measures to the state government following three rounds of comprehensive discussions with stakeholders in the region. The recommendations encompass enhancing estate safety, food waste management, public awareness, lighting, and traffic regulation. The panel has urged officials to enforce the National Green Tribunal's directive by ensuring that all estates handle food waste in solid waste management vehicles and prohibit open dumping from tractors on roadsides. It also called for the installation of streetlights in accident-prone areas and the strict enforcement of traffic regulations, urging officials to penalize violations of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Additionally, the committee recommended that the state government instruct the District Collector to issue orders banning tractors from carrying labourers in crates or empty containers. The committee included Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Sandeep Tripathi, APCCF Srinivas R. Reddy, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Western Ghats) Manikandan P., Coimbatore District Forest Officer Ramesh Kumar M., Pollachi Forest Range Officer Duraiarasu M., and Valparai Forest Range Officer Shanmugam M.