Forest Department committee to consider amendments to solar power fencing rules in Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is reviewing the 2023 solar power fencing rules to simplify registration and installation requirements for farmers. The move follows complaints about high costs and low registration rates, aiming to balance wildlife protection with agricultural needs.
Why it matters
Effective regulation of power fencing is critical to preventing wildlife electrocutions while ensuring farmers can protect their crops from wild animals.
In a move to improve installation and registration of legally-approved solar power fences around farms and properties near forest areas, the Forest Department is likely to relax certain norms in the Tamil Nadu Power Fences (Registration and Regulation) Rules 2023 .
A committee headed by Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Working Plan), is currently reviewing recommendations and suggestions from stakeholders.
Officials in the know of the development said that District Forest Officers (DFO) and farmers associations have submitted their suggestions to the committee, which has officers from the Department and representatives from farmers’ bodies as members.
The Department is considering relaxation of norms following the considerably low number of registration of solar power fences by farmers and people residing near forests. Farmers have also been complaining about the higher cost involved in installing solar power fences with all the specifications mentioned in the rules.
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