Man animal conflict: Rapid response units soon

HASSAN: By March 2015, the forest department will find itself equipped with Rapid Response Units, a growing necessity amid increasing reports of human-animal conflict. 

Two human deaths were caused in 2014,  when a young boy was mauled to death by a leopard and a 50-year-old man was killed in a gruesome bear attack.

These RRUs, each of which comprise a fully equipped six-member team, will operate vulnerable areas of the State and provide swift action when wild animals stray into human territory.

These units will work 24x7 in vulnerable areas with members available exclusively to swoop into action in human-animal conflict situations.

A handful of Rapid Response Units are already functioning in the tiger reserves of Bandipur and Nagarhole. More will be operational in demarcated areas where human-animal conflict is a common occurrence, Mr Ganesh Bhat, said Deputy Conservator of Forests, Hassan division.

Mr Bhat was confident that these units will be in working condition by March next year.

Hassan has been identified as an area where human-animal conflicts is reported quite regularly, with special regard to the elephant menace in Sakleshpur and parts of Arkalgudu and leopard and bears in Arasikere.

At least three persons have been attacked by wild elephants, while a leopard and a bear have claimed a boy and a 50-year-old man in Hassan and Arasikere respectively in 2014.

Besides this, elephants raiding coffee estates and agricultural crops are reported on a regular basis.

The units, said  Bhat, will comprise six members, including a veterinarian to decide on the best possible course of action in animal intrusion on human beings or crops.

Specially-designed vehicles will be allocated to these units and their members will be equipped with guns and nets to trap wild animals.

Bhat added that specially-made cages will be made available to capture bears (the barrel trap) and leopards.