V Krithiga I Tirunelveli WHILE the deer population in this district is exploding, forcing them to move out of their habitat for food and water, the government is sitting on a proposal to provide solar fencing around the forests. The Rs 75 lakh solar fencing plan was aimed at avoiding man-animal conflict. The Gangaikondan Reserve Forest (GRF), which is 15 km from here, is spread around 250 hectares. The spotted deer population, which was 50 in the 90s, rose to 223 in 2004. At present, the number has reportedly crossed 400. At the Thalayuthu Reserve Forest (TRF), the population of sambar deer has touched 300. A three-feet wall has been raised around the GRF but deer easily scale the wall and move to nearby hamlets in search of food and water. For the deer of TRF, since there is no protection wall, there is no hindrance in moving out freely. Ramaiah, a farmer says, "Every year during summer the movement of deer in the nearby hamlets is very high. We are badly affected as these deer get into the agricultural lands and damage the crops.' Sources from the forest department said, "It is true that the spotted deer move to nearby areas in large numbers but the movement of sambar deer is very less. We had sent a proposal to the State Government last year to provide solar fencing for 10 km distance. Since the proposal was not cleared, we have again sent a proposal to the government in April,' the source said.