The Jamshedpur Forest Division (JFD) has taken a significant step to mitigate the ongoing man-elephant conflict in the Chakulia forest range by planning to install solar fencing around the forest cover. This initiative aims to protect both villagers and elephants by preventing elephants from entering residential areas.
Scope of the Project
Foresters have identified a 48-kilometer radius for the fencing near the Chakulia forest range, which borders over 20 villages. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam stated that tenders will be invited once the state government releases the necessary funds. The project has been approved for 2026, and officials expect to begin implementation soon.
Objectives and Benefits
The primary goal of the solar fencing is to safeguard villagers and their property, including homes, crops, and food supplies, by deterring elephants from entering human settlements. Additionally, the fencing is expected to reduce risks to elephants by preventing them from straying into villages, where they may face harm.
Similar Project in Chandil Forest Range
A comparable project is already underway in the Chandil forest range of the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district, where 27 kilometers of solar fencing is being installed. A pilot stretch of over one kilometer in Ramnagar village of Nimdih block has already been fenced. Officials report that this pilot has successfully stopped elephant movement into residential areas.
The fencing operates on a 12-volt system, delivering a safe, non-lethal pulse to discourage elephants. It is also equipped with an alarm system that alerts guards the moment an elephant attempts to cross. Automated lighting switches on during night-time alarms, allowing foresters to identify the exact breach point instantly.
Villages Affected by Elephant Attacks
Of the 20 villages bordering the Chakulia forest range, more than a dozen frequently report elephant attacks. These include Jamdhari, Bir Danga, Pakuria, Lohanbani, Bhadua, Rajabasa, Chouthia, Dighi, Chandanpur, Dumuridih, Bara Dhaodangri, Lodhanbani, and Sardiha.
Wildlife Activity and Historical Data
Wildlife activity in the region remains intense, with a herd of 29 elephants in Pakuria village and seven more elephants in the neighboring Kaju forest. From 2017 to May 2026, the Chakulia range recorded 43 human deaths, 37 injuries, 271 destroyed homes, and crop damage across over 416 hectares.
