Chennai: After months of deliberation, work has finally begun on erecting a 10-foot-high steel wire fence along the forest boundary in the Coimbatore and Boluvampatti forest ranges to prevent wild elephant intrusion into nearby human settlements.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 5 crore, was announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin last year. The fence will cover a 10-km stretch from Vettaikarankovil in the Boluvampatti range to Kottaimuthumariamman Kovil in the Coimbatore range, passing through the Attukal tribal settlement.

Currently, bush clearing is underway, following which steel structures for fixing poles will be installed by the contractor. The project is being executed by a Hosur-based firm that has already implemented similar fencing in the Hosur forest division of Krishnagiri

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