Tamil Nadu, Madurai, May 7, 2025 – In a coordinated public outreach effort, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and the Forest Department jointly conducted an awareness campaign across several villages in the Western Ghats region of Madurai district to highlight the dangers associated with unauthorized electric fencing.
The initiative was carried out under the leadership of Assistant Engineer Ravichandran, and covered the villages of Madarai, Chettiyapatti, Thottappa Nayakkanur, Idaipatti, and Vaasi Nagar. As part of the campaign, informative pamphlets were distributed to residents, aiming to sensitize them about the legal and safety hazards linked to illegally installed electric fences—often set up in farmlands and plantation areas to deter wild animals.
Officials emphasized that unauthorized electric fencing poses a significant risk to both human lives and livestock, with several tragic incidents reported in recent years due to electrocution. The campaign reinforced that such installations, if not properly regulated and insulated, violate the Indian Electricity Rules and attract severe legal penalties, including criminal liability under the Electricity Act.
The public was urged to immediately dismantle any illegal electric fences and consult TNEB officials for lawful alternatives that ensure both safety and effectiveness in managing human-wildlife conflict.
The TNEB and Forest Department also reiterated their commitment to working closely with rural communities to develop safer, community-approved solutions for crop and livestock protection, without endangering lives.
This initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to reduce wildlife-related human fatalities and promote sustainable coexistence practices in forest-adjacent areas.
Our Citizen Reporter – Madurai
Mr. Ravi
