IPOH: A food bank for elephants and a buffer zone near their natural habitat are among initiatives being considered by the state to minimise human-elephant conflicts.
Perak Environment Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the initiative addresses growing concerns over rising elephant numbers and encroached natural habitats, which force wild herds into human settlements for food.
“Elephant disturbances could also be seasonal, particularly during the fruiting season, when the animals might venture into human settlements.
“The proposal is being evaluated by the Forestry Department and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to pinpoint suitable locations,” Teh said after launching the state-level National Environment Day and World Ozone Day celebrations.
He noted, however, that managing wild herds remains challenging as elephants do not always stay within designated boundaries.
On Oct 16, Bukit Bangkong Agricultural Land Operators Association member Abdul Rahim Ahmad said wild elephants had entered the orchards on three occasions, affecting 9.7ha of land and 12 farmers.
Abdul Rahim noted that local farmers who began cultivating durian, coconut, jackfruit, and banana crops in 2018 previously dealt with wild tigers, but now face recurring elephant invasions.
Meanwhile, Perak Environment Department director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said daily patrols and enforcement operations have been stepped up to curb open burning during the ongoing dry spell.
“Local open-burning cases are not particularly serious, but enforcement efforts remain ongoing.
“We would like to remind the public to refrain from open burning, especially during this period when haze levels are already significant,” he said.
