An advanced construction system to prevent human-animal conflict and to protect wildlife

Abstract

The proposed advanced construction system to protect wildlife is a creative and lasting solution to prevent human-animal conflict. The guard wall consists of different pre-cast stones, elements and locking arrangements. Slant and protrusion effect in constructing the wall and foldable bridge ensures the strong barrier against any kind of animal to cross over wildlife area in to human settlement. Further, there is a ditch soon after the wall to the wildlife area and then a slop which ensures the stress-less habituation for wildlife. In addition it will also completely eradicate the issues of property and crop loses by the elephants and other wild animals. Safety underpasses in rail and motorways, safety arrangements in waterways made it a complete solution to the human-animal conflict while safeguarding animals. An island can be constructed which demarcated with a guard wall for domesticated animals. The solution promotes the tourism industry in the area.

Description

DTietlsecroipftIinovnention : An advanced construction system to preventhuman-animal conflict and protect wildlifeTechnical Field[1] The invention relates to civil engineering field more particularly, anadvanced construction system for forests, wildlife parks or areas toprevent human-animal conflict and protecting animals.Background Art[2] Population growth in the world invariably lead to deforestation in manytropical climates resulting various issues to the governments. Though it didnot affect the human-animal harmony in the beginning, the increasinghuman intervention in the forests and senseless settlements near animalpasses left the animals with food shortages and restrictions to habitualmovements; creating the present day human-animal conflict. This situationhas affected both fractions equally with 20% of crops being consumed bythe animals; mainly elephants. Monkeys are another animal specie thatharm the crop production of farmers. But animals are being the weakerparty, the most affected and some animals including elephants are facingextinction due to killing them using different methods. There have beenmany strategies adopted by various organizations and governmentagencies to prevent animals from crossing their habited areas andentering direct contact with the humans such as electric fences, ditches,planting thorny plants such as cactus, planting trees close to each other ina zig-zag manner, keeping bee boxes in the boundaries and using ultrasound waves etc...But none of them have been successful in the long rundue to various reasons; elephant fence for example has failed due to someultra-smart elephants who think out of the box to conquer the fence.[3] It is well known that there had been various proposals to solve the humanelephant or human animal conflict in the past. WO 2016 / 038589 A is aneffort made on a solution to the problem with various short comings suchas difficulty to remove sediment mud from the drain due to direct slope tothe wall, and inability to prevent smaller animals like porcupines andmonkeys from climbing and crossing the wall, absence of proper solutionfor protected elephant passes, protected water flows have necessitatedthe research for further improvements. There are various solutions likesurveillance using drones to control herd are available, but a lasting totalsolution is always demanded where animal control and safety areconsidered the prioritiesSummary of Invention[4] The new invention being proposed by tapering the wall with protrudedpoints using pre-cast stones from top to bottom to make it difficult andalmost impossible for the small animals to climb the wall. Having a “L”shaped pre-cast slab copping make it even more difficult for creatures likemonkeys, giant squirrels and porcupines to cross over the boundary.Inconstructing a guard wall, if come across a stream or a water path, thespecial construction is proposed with tubes and an automated gate toprevent animals using waterways for crossing the borders . When thegeographical profile across forest and the human settlements changesvarious practical issues are surfaced. The shape of the guard wall remainsame even in those areas..[5] The excessive height of the guard wall could lead to push it towards theforest side, if the soil is soft. Therefore the base of the ditch should have apeculiar shape to prevent the accumulation of soil and also an allocation tovehicular access for removing soil and unwanted trees inside the wildlifearea. When a railway line crosses the forest or go near the forest thereshould be a way to prevent possible collisions.. An elephant walk about20km a day and faces various difficulties at elephant passes or nearhuman settlements where conflicts arises. Therefore, the proposed systemis arranged to prevent such conflicts to protect humans, animals andproperties.[6] Conventional human elephant conflict aside, there are issues betweendomesticated elephants and people and vice versa. There should be alasting solution to the problems related to safety, mental satisfaction andfreedom of domesticated elephants. Due considerations are required here,as the people gathering is possible near the guard wall. This will resultvarious issues such as food poisoning and changing the natural behavioralpatterns of the elephants. Therefore even after the human elephantconflict is solved with the construction of guard wall this situation couldcreate greater problems to the animals. Keeping certain free areas may beconsidered to protect animals, both wild and domesticated. Trees andcreepers which add life to earth are an essential part for the well-being ofits inhabitants. Therefore there should be a way to control or completeshun the deforestation done by the people willingly or unwillingly. Thisnovel construction system addresses all the problems listed above with alasting solution to the human animal conflictTechnical Problem[7] Present day solutions like electric fences are considered failed systems asthere are lot of cases for elephant-human conflict reported every day,though there are such fencing systems available. Monkeys are also athreat to farmers, who destroy crops invariably. Boundaries in the jungle orwild life parks are sometimes separated by ditches, but with the rain andvarious human or animal activities, it gradually creates access points forboth the parties to cross over the line. Even the wall is constructed withconcrete or with concrete blocks, animals like monkeys can easily crossthe boundary. There are no solutions for crossing railways in a safermanner and also motorways. Water flows also having opening for variousanimals to access other side.[8] Accordingly, crossing fences and climbing erected walls by small creaturesto enter human settlements considered a threat to the human and possiblelife threatening activities by human against the animal also possible tosave their lives and properties. Electric fencing is considered as anineffective solution for elephants as they use various tactics to damagethem and crossover to find food from haman settlements.[9] Animal passes are required to prevent collisions between animals andvehicles. There are so many cases reported even in developed countries,where animals colliding with vehicles, specially in the night time.

[0010] There is a possibility or crossover using waterways which flows acrosswildlife areas and human settlements. They are pathways specially in thedry seasons.Solution to the Problem

[0011] The guard wall is proposed here to prevent conflicts and safeguardanimals entering in to the human settlements searching for foods and safepathway to cross rail and motor ways. The proposed construction systemconsists of a guard wall which comprises of specially designed stones,which connects together with connecting mechanism to each other andprotruded edges in the wall in the construction make it impossible to climbover the wall. The edge of the boundary pavement to the wall also createsan edge even though a reptile can’t cross over the boundary line.Moreover, the construction system contains safety passages to crossroads and railways without any harm to animals. Rangers and otherwildlife officers can use foldable access points to enter the jungle orwildlife parks. The flat area just after the proposed wall also provide easeto the maintenance, the pathway inside the jungle area may make widerenough to travel by a vehicle. A protection is provided for animals in waterflows like streams using tubes and gates.Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0012] The minimum height of 12 feet guard wall is inclined 75-80 degrees,having it on one plane could make it easy for monkeys, giant squirrels andporcupines to climb on the wall. Since these creatures are a great threat toagriculture, finding a way to prevent them entering human settlements is avital advantage. Animals can climb down 30 degree slope but meets thestone clad minimum 12 feet tall 75-80 degree angle wall, which they can’tclimb due its excessive gradient. Another importance of the angle is that itcannot be damaged by giants like elephants. Protruded edges also make itdifficult to get a support in climbing over the wall. When a stream or awater path flow across the proposed guard wall , it has been designed insuch a way that the water flows across the guard wall under the roadthrough tubes or pipes. The direction of the guard wall can be changed toright or left by using rocks be enough in some hilly terrains. A steel rodfixed to a concrete stone at the centre height of the guard wall is anchored2-3m in to the soil at regular intervals with a stainless steel plateconnected to the other end of the rod thus preventing soil and the wallfrom collapsing towards the forest side. There is a 10-15 ft wide horizontalbase before slanting the soil up to ground level of the forest side, whichcan be used to run a machine or a vehicle to remove accumulating soil,unnecessary trees and debris. When constructing the guard wall near therailway lines, sufficient distance should be kept from the railway line toerect the ditch and the guard wall as appropriate. An under pass is builtacross the railway line for animals to safely cross the road; this willeradicate the problem of train elephant collisions. Same constructionmethod is proposed for road crossing points. Similarly, by strategicallyconnecting the two guard walls together and erecting a bridge across thetwo regions we can create a safe passage for the elephants and otheranimals. The safety ditch or guard wall has to be constructed around 250maway from the demarcated boundaries of wild life sanctuary, to eradicatethe feeding of elephants and animals by people and disturbing their naturalbehavioural patterns. While looking for solutions to human elephantconflict we should also find solutions to the problems related todomesticated elephants. We can create an island of considerable landextent with an adjustable or foldable bridge and accommodating the tamedand domesticated elephants there without tying them. This will not onlybenefit the elephants but also benefit tourism industry as well, by makingpossible view points. The proposed guard wall should be constructedbetween the human settlements and the wild life sanctuary with a roadadjacent to the guard wall. This will prevent any attempts to change theboundaries and unlawful entry to the sanctuary thus protecting fauna andflora. Another advantage is that human settlements are protectedcompletely by this system even preventing reptiles are prevented theguard wall with protruded lines in the wall using pre-cast concrete stonesand L shaped pre-cast slab elments at the top of the guard wall.Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] [Fig.1] Shows the entire area plan including wildlife area or the jungle,boundary line, constructed wall and the human settlement

[0014] [Fig.2] Shows the side view of the construction of guard wall and ditchwith angled slope to the wildlife area, the protection for collapsing of guardwall is also shown with anchored arrangement

[0015] [Fig.3] Shows the side view of the guard wall and ditch and slope to thewildlife area.

[0016] [Fig.4] to [Fig.7} Show various pre-cast stones used in the constructionof the guard wall

[0017] [Fig.8] to [Fig.16] show the different units such as pre-cast stones, pre-cast locking elements etc.. to be used in wall construction

[0018] [Fig.17], [Fig.18] and [Fig.19] show the pre-cast slab element unitsused in construction of the special top edge of the guard wall.

[0019] [Fig.19] to [Fig.22] also show different pre-cast units in the constructionof guard wall used as locking units.

[0020] [Fig.23] shows the base of the construction of the guard wall with basestone with certain groove and placing another pre-cast stone over it.

[0021] [Fig.24] shows the construction of the top most position of the guardwall.

[0022] [Fig.25] shows the arrangements for water locking mechanism at thetop of the guard wall

[0023] [Fig.26] and [Fig.27] show the construction of the guard wall withplacing curved edge pre-cast slab element at the top of the guard wall andthe way keeping protruded edge at each line of stones.

[0024] [Fig.28] shows a pre-cast stone with groove and hole

[0025] [Fig.29] shows various construction and locking mechanisms using pre-cast stones and elements at the top of the guard wall.

[0026] [Fig.30] shows the arrangement made to prevent possible collapse inthe guard wall, a stainless steel rod, which goes through the pre-caststone and distal end with a head to go though a stainless steel plate tocreate a lock within.

[0027] [Fig.31] shows the construction proposed over the water flow, may beexisting bridge in a boundary guard wall, use of pipes with 1 / 2 to 1 feetdiameter. The view is from the wildlife area side

[0028] [Fig.32] shows the construction proposed in the other side of the waterpath with an automatic operation of perforated door.

[0029] [Fig.33] shows a closer view of constructed guard wall, free boundaryand then human settlement.

[0030] [Fig.34] shows the the way of using proposed system in hilly area.

[0031] [Fig.35] shows the operable and foldable bridge to be constructed atdesired points on the guard wall to access wildlife area when necessary.

[0032] [Fig.36] shows the construction of a guard wall in a wildlife area withpossible passages under the railway line.

[0033] [Fig.37] shows another passage and guard wall construction undermotorway, near human settlement.

[0034] [Fig.38] shows the side view construction of an island within a santurayor human settlement for dometicated animals.Description of Embodiments

[0035] Figures 1 to 38 elaborate different and complete view of theconstruction elements and constructions used in the proposed system.where (1) of figure 1 represents the human settlements and (2) representsthe wild life sanctuary. Figure 2 is the complete and general view of theproposed construction system, whereas the invisible arrangement toensure the stability of the guard wall also shown with locking mechanismusing rod and a plate besides the guard wall. As shown in Figure 3, firstthe soil is excavated down to 12 feet from P to Q at a gradient of 80degrees and then soil is removed from Q to R to form a horizontal flat form.Thereafter from R to S soil is removed at an angle 25-30 degree to formthe PQRS profile thus creating the ditch by excavating and removing thesoil along the decided boundary. Animals can reach S to R and climbdown 30 degree slope but meets the stone clad 12 feet tall 80 degreeangle wall at Q which they can’t climb due its excessive gradient.The wallitself is not stable due to its excessive slope therefore may need to cladwith some kind of durable stone and at some places with concrete wherethe soil is weak. In order to make construction work eco-friendly we canuse fly ash to produce cladding stone; which can be of interlocking systemto avoid the use of cement for fixing; and may bring pre-cast concretewalling units to construction site to avoid environmental pollution inconcrete mixing in the forest.

[0036] The starting stone (Figure 8,9) at the base of the wall (p) should beaccurately placed since the wall is built by systematically placing pre-caststones on top of the other as shown in figures 23 and 24.As shown inFigures 25-26, pre-cast stone (5) has to be placed on pre-cast stone 6 andsupport pre-cast element 16 should be placed on stone (5) as per Figure26. Finally the pre-cast slab element (17) is placed on the support element16 as shown in the figures 26 and 27 to form the viewing flat form or thecantilever overhang to prevent animals from climbing the wall.

[0037] Final appearance of top of the wall is shown in the figure 27. Thestones (4) and (5) will not be in the same plane and will not lookrectangular either. The outward protrusion at the base of the stone willmake it difficult for the animals to climb up the wall, when used as lines ofprotrusions. The hole (28) and (29) of figures 28 will allow the seepage ofexcess water thus ensuring the stability of the wall in wet areas and rainyseasons. The holes also ensure the easy handling and have been taperedoutwards to the bottom to discourage climbing up the wall, resultingprotrusion in the construction.

[0038] The figure 29 is an aerial view of the top of the wall. The L shapedslab element (17) is fixed on to slab element (12) by U shaped jointelement (12). The concrete nail (31) at the edge of the slab element (12)anchors the slab to the ground preventing any possibility of pushingoutwards.

[0039] Figure 30 shows cable (34) connected to the washer (37) of theconcrete stone passes through the bank to connect with the stainless steelplate (33). The arrow shaped portion (35) of the cable (34) is sent throughthe elliptical hole (36) of the plate (33).If the stainless steel plate is given atorque when fixing it will not release back its original position and hencewill hold the wall in place. Practically speaking construction of wall usingpre-cast stone (4) cannot always be in the straight line and same height,hence will have to turn at some places and change the height as requiredwhere other pre-cast stones can be used. Figures 23-27 show how theconstruction is effectively done by using the pre-cast stones, elements andL shaped pre-cast slab elements.

[0040] Figure 31 shows how the wall constructed when a water stream goesthrough the guard wall in the boundary. The water stream (42) goesthrough pipes (40) .

[0041] Figure 32 shows how the thick steel gate made of perforated plate (44)is employed at the other end of the bridge, which acts as a filter. Theperforated plate gate automatically opens up when the amount of water inthe stream rises to prevent flooding at the other side due to possibleblockages. The gate remains closed in the normal condition, filtering outwater flows through the pipes as shown. This closure of steel plate preventanimals from passing through to the human settlements

[0042] Figure 33 shows how the proposed guard wall is situated between thewild life sanctuary (53) and area left between human settlements andsanctuary or wildlife area (52) in a level ground profile. The service roadmay runs adjacent to the guard wall on the side of the human settlements.

[0043] Figure 34 shows how the proposed guard wall is built between the wildlife sanctuary (53) and human settlements (52) when the sanctuary issituated at a lower terrain to that of the human settlements.

[0044] Figure 35 shows how to locate a foldable bridge across the proposedguard wall; this bridge should have the provision for lowering or raisingwhen required and the access to such operations should strictly be withthe wildlife authorities. The bridge may operated by hanging an equalcounterweight (58) at the guard wall end; whereas (59) is the operationunit. This can be maneuver using control arm (57) manually or usingoperation unit (59). The stand must be higher than that of hight of theprotruded end of the L shaped pre-cast slab element.

[0045] Figure 36 shows how a rail way (55) runs across a wild life sanctuary(57). By constructing the proposed guard walls on either side of the railwayline (and locating a underpass or subway at strategic locations (62) cancompletely eradicate the issue of elephant - train collision. Other animalsalso can safely pass through the underpass. Similarly, an underpass canbe constructed when a motorway runs between a sanctuary.

[0046] Figure 37 shows how an elephant corridor is located between twohuman settlements allowing them to cross from one wildlife area toanother. The guard wall (4A) prevents elephants (3) from entering thehuman settlement (52) and they can travel safely from one sanctuary tothe other using underpass.

[0047] Figure 38 shows a cross section of a mini island sanctuary created fordomesticated elephants and animals with the taste of forestry environment.A guard wall is built around the island. A guard wall is built around theisland. This can be promoted as a tourist attraction with completeprotection for both animals and people. .E[4x8]amHpulemsan animal conflicts are reported everywhere in the world bothdeveloped and developing countries. Kangaroos are hit by vehicles inAustralia. Human-animal conflicts are reported in India, Sri Lanka andsome South East Asian countries. This will be a lasting solution to theissue, where a guard wall is constructed in the boundary line of the wildlifearea, special arrangements for crossing rail and road ways, as well as forwater streams and rivers. Therefore it is considered as a total solution forthe human-animal conflict.

[0049] Elephant is considered a smart thinking specie as they use numerousstrategies to cross boundary barriers. The claimed invention comprise ofguard wall, with a slight angle, which made of pre-cast concrete stones,Therefore, elephant can’t damage the wall to make a pathway to enterhuman settlement area.Industrial Applicability

[0050] The human-animal conflict is a great burden to the authoritiesresponsible for wild life protection around the world. A lasting solution ishighly demanded for this particular issue. The proposed advancedconstruction system having a greater demand for the said problemencountered by various authorities, hence industrially applicable solution.Non Patent Literature

[0051] NPL1: https: / / wildlifedrones.net / preventing-human-wildlife-conflict / nflict- Wildlife Drones

Claims

1. Claims 1. A n a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m t o p r o t e c t w i l d l i f e c o m p r i s i n g :a ) A d i t c h e x c a v a t e d a t t h e d e s i r e d b o u n d a r y o f a j u n g l e o r w i l d l i f e a r e aw i t h a s t r a i g h t w a l l w h i c h h a s s m a l l s l a n t t h a t i s c o n s t r u c t e d a t t h eo u t s i d e o f t h e s a i d e x c a v a t e d d i t c h , w i t h a 25 - 30 d e g r e e s s l o p e t o t h ew i l d l i f e a r e a a n d 10 - 15 f t f l a t a r e a b e t w e e n t h e s a i d w a l l a n d t h e s l o p e ;b ) A g u a r d w a l l c o n s t r u c t e d u s i n g p r e - c a s t s t o n e s a n d p r e - c a s te l e m e n t s o v e r t h e s a i d s l a n t e d s t r a i g h t w a l l w i t h c o n n e c t i n g a n dl o c k i n g m e c h a n i s m s f o r m i n g p r o t r u d e d e d g e s a t e a c h l i n e o f p r e -c a s t s t o n e w h e r e i n a b e n d e d g e a t t h e t o p o f t h e g u a r d w a l l ;c ) A n i m a l u n d e r p a s s e s m a d e a c r o s s t h e r a i l a n d m o t o r w a y s ;d ) I s l a n d s o r l i k e a r e a s c r e a t e d u s i n g g u a r d w a l l s f o r d o m e s t i c a t e da n i m a l s ; e) F o l d a b l e b r i d g e s c o n s t r u c t e d a t s e l e c t e d p o i n t s , o n t o p o f t h e g u a r dw a l l a n df ) W a t e r w a y s o r p a s s a g e s m a d e i n t h e e x i s t i n g b r i d g e s o f s t r e a m s u s i n gs m a l l p i p e s w i t h a n a u t o m a t i c o p e n i n g p e r f o r a t e d g a t e .

2. T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 a b o v ew h e r e i n t h e g u a r d w a l l i s c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h a 75 - 80 d e g r e e s s l a n tu s i n g p r e - c a s t s t o n e s a n d p r e - c a s t L s h a p e d s l a b e l e m e n t a t t h et o p o f t h e w a l l , w h e r e i n s t a i n l e s s s t e e l r o d w h i c h g o e s t h r o u g h t h es e l e c t e d p r e - c a s t s t o n e w a s h e r w i t h a h e a d a t t h e d i s t a l e n d t o l o c kw i t h e l l i p t i c a l h o l e i n a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l p l a t e .1

3. T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 w h e r e i n ,t h e p r e - c a s t s t o n e s o f t h e g u a r d w a l l h a v e h o l e s t o d r a i n e x c e s sw a t e r t o e n s u r e t h e s t a b i l i t y o f t h e w a l l .

4. T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 w h e r e i n ,t h e g u a r d w a l l c o n s i s t s o f L s h a p e d s l a b e l e m e n t f i x e d o n t o t h e t o pm o s t p r e - c a s t s t o n e w i t h l o c k i n g m e c h a n i s m s u s i n g a p r e c a s tl o c k i n g e l e m e n t o n t h e s a i d s t o n e a n d b y U s h a p e d l o c k i n ge l e m e n t t o t h e e n d o f t h e s a i d L s h a p e d s l a b e l e m e n t w h e r e a s t h ec o n c r e t e n a i l a t t h e e d g e o f t h e s l a b e l e m e n t a n c h o r s t h e s l a b t ot h e g r o u n d p r e v e n t i n g a n y p o s s i b i l i t y o f p u s h i n g o u t w a r d s o rc o l l a p s i n g .[ C l a i m 5 ] T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 a b o v ef u r t h e r i n c l u d e w a t e r p a s s a g e s i n t h e g u a r d w a l l w h e r e i n , 1 / 2 - 1f e e t d i a m e t e r p i p e s a l o n g t h e c r o s s i n g a n d a g a t e w i t h ap e r f o r a t e d p l a t e a t t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e w a t e r f l o w w h e r e a s t h eg a t e i s a r r a n g e d i n w h i c h f u r t h e r i n c l u d e s a u t o m a t i c o p e n i n g o f t h es a i d p l a t e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e h e a v i n e s s o f t h e w a t e r f l o w .

6. T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 a b o v ew h e r e i n t h e f o l d a b l e b r i d g e s o n t h e t o p o f t h e g u a r d w a l l t o b eu s e d t o c r o s s o v e r t o a n i m a l a r e a w i t h m a n u a l w e i g h t l i f t e d o re l e c t r i c o p e r a t i o n m e a n s , s u c h t h a t t h e h e i g h t o f t h e h o l d i n g2c o l u m n s o f t h e b r i d g e a r e h i g h e r t h a n t h a t o f L s h a p e d e r e c t e dp o r t i o n o f t h e p r e - c a s t s l a b e l e m e n t o f t h e g u a r d w a l l .

7. T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 a b o v ew h e r e i n t h e u n d e r p a s s e s t h a t a r e c o n s t r u c t e d u n d e r a m o t o r w a yo r r a i l w a y w i t h g u a r d w a l l a t b o t h s i d e s o f t h e p a s s a g e .

8. T h e a d v a n c e d c o n s t r u c t i o n s y s t e m a s c l a i m e d i n c l a i m 1 a b o v ei n c l u d e s a n i s l a n d c r e a t e d u s i n g a g u a r d w a l l f o r s e p a r a t i o n t o t h eo u t s i d e o f t h e s a i d i s l a n d3

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