Thursday, April 17, 2008

'Shocking' the elephants away


Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah, NST Online
April 16, 2008

JELI: Villagers in the district are happy that an electric fence is being built to keep wild elephants away from their smallholdings.

Construction of the fence began early this year and so far, about two kilometres of fence had been erected between Kampung Lubok Bongor and Kuala Sungai Tapah.

Jeli member of parliament Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who is the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, announced the construction of the fence two years ago.

The fence, when completed, will be more than 10km long and is expected to cost about RM1.6 million.

It will prevent the intrusion of elephants into fruit orchards and rubber and oil palm smallholdings in the area.
Lubok Bongor villagers said no intrusions had been reported in their smallholdings since work to erect the fence started in February.

Rubber smallholder Che Senik Che Musa, 58, said villagers were glad that their problem with the elephants would end soon.

To read the full story click on the blog title



No comments: