An electric fence being checked with a live wire detector in Coimbatore district.
| Photo Credit: File Photo
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.The Tamil Nadu Power Fences (Registration and Regulation) Rules 2023 was notified in July 2023 to protect wildlife from getting electrocuted by high-voltage electric fences and to prevent crop damages by wild animals in farms adjoining forests. The rule stipulates a certificate of registration from the District Forest Officer to erect a power fence in a property falling within five km from a reserve forest boundary.It is learnt that DFOs have recommended strict compliance to the existing rules regarding source of power and standards materials used for solar fencing, including energisers and battery, to ensure safety of wildlife and humans. However, they recommended that rules related to the installation of certain accessories, such as neon lights and alarm, could be lifted.In a recent case of an electrocution of a wild elephant in a farm near Sirumugai in Coimbatore district, the power fencing at the property had not been registered with the Department. Though the Department had served a notice to the farmer during a previous inspection, the farmer did not comply with the rules. Published - July 30, 2026 08:36 pm IST
