Year 1

• We designed a solar‐powered 'hanging‐wire' electric fences as a crop protection option for farmers against crop damage by elephants. The fence was designed taking into account the behaviour of the elephant, making it challenging for an elephant to bring the fence down, as there is no fixed part of the fence which is accessible to an elephant. The wires drop from a height of 15 ft and are suspended from poles and are electrified using a pulsating current controlled through an energizer rigged to a rechargeable solar‐powered battery. The total cost of the materials for a 1 km fence is approximately INR 1.5 lakhs including the battery, energizer and solar panel. This cost, however, does not include other costs such as labour, transportation, food and accommodation. A one‐kilometre long fence would require anywhere between 4 to 5 days to set up, which is extremely fast. The cost of the fence is also 2 to 3 times lesser than any of the existing solar fences that have been used to prevent wild animals from entering crop fields.
• Following the collaboration with the Ramanagara Forest Division, where three such fences were first set up to test the effectiveness of the fence in protecting crops, several farmers in the region stepped forward to set up these fences around their own farms. While some farmers could afford the fence on their own, others were assisted through the project and the Forest Department. This was done by providing them with solar sets that made up almost half the cost of the total fence. Each solar set contained a battery, energizer, solar panel and the required wiring.
• The efforts of the research teams, farmers and the Forest Department have been rewarding as not a single elephant intrusion has been recorded thus far in any of the hanging‐wire fenced crop fields. The elephants have visited the crop fields but have been kept away because of the fence, as evidenced by their dung close to the crop field areas and their photographs.
• Thus, the ‘hanging wire’ electric fence has proved to be an effective and affordable option for farmers. We believe that mitigation measures of this nature have the potential to be scaled up, not only by our initiation but also by villagers themselves spreading awareness to neighbouring villages and to the district. The news of crop protection using temporary hanging‐wire fences has gone viral and has the potential to snowball into a movement. 

Year 2

• The project's scope expanded to encompass nighttime observation and behavioral documentation of elephants. Specialized equipment were procured to facilitate nocturnal monitoring. 

Year 3

• In total, the project has till date aided the protection of about 80 acres of farmland from elephant intrusion aiding farmers with installation of fences.
• One of the first farmers to install the hanging fence, Anand Ramu, with support from our team, has assisted setting up these fences in 15 other farms across the Ramanagara and Channapatna Forest Divisions, ensuring that other farmers could effectively protect their crops from elephant intrusions. This hands-on knowledge transfer has empowered local farmers to take control of their safety and the preservation of their livelihoods, while also reinforcing a cooperative spirit within the community.