Awareness rally on safe installation of electric fences taken out

A rally to create awareness among villagers on the safe installation of electric fences around agricultural fields and the prevention of poaching of wild animals was taken out at Kongarpalayam village in the T.N. Palayam Forest Range of the Sathyamangalam Division here on Wednesday (January 7, 2026).

Around 30 Forest Department personnel participated in the rally and distributed awareness pamphlets to villagers. An official said the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is the second-largest tiger reserve in the State and supports a significant population of wildlife, including tigers, leopards and elephants. As October to February marks the migratory season for elephants, the animals frequently move across forest fringes and at times pass through farmlands.

The official said all farmers in forest-fringe villages must register their power fences and ensure they are installed strictly in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Power Fences (Registration and Regulation) Rules, 2023. Every power fence must be fitted with an automatic trip mechanism to disconnect the power supply in the event of accidental leakage, to prevent fatal electrocution of wildlife and people working in agricultural fields.

Violations would attract action under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, causing rigorous imprisonment ranging from three to seven years upon conviction, the official added.