Solar fence will scare, not kill jumbos

Bengaluru: Terming the electrocution of four female jumbos in Madikeri recently as 'unfortunate', Minister of State for Statistics, Planning and Science and Technology M.R. Sitaram said the forest department has been asked to submit a report on installation of solar fencing in elephant habitats in Kodagu district to prevent death of pachyderms under unnatural circumstances.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Mr Sitaram who is also the incharge minister of Kodagu, said there has been an increase in man-elephant conflict in the district in the recent past and elephant proof trenches had been created to check the entry of jumbos into human settlements. A few days ago, four people were trampled to death in the district. Electric fences are not a solution as it would be fatal to the animals. 

The best option was to have solar fencing points at all elephant entry points so that it would deter them from entering villages, the minister said.

A report from the department concerned had been sought within a month based on which action would be imitated, he said. Recently, four jumbos had died after they accidentally came in contact with live wires, he said.

On a change of his portfolio, the minister said that he had never asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for a change as he was happy with his current responsibility. In the beginning, he had requested the Chief Minister not to give him higher education as he owns a chain of educational institutions, Mr Sitaram disclosed. 

Asked about the Pejawar Mutt seer holding an Iftar party for Muslims in Udupi recently, Mr Sitaram said he had the highest regard for the seer from the beginning though he had later got associated with the BJP. 

Perhaps, the seer might have organised the Iftar to make amends, he said adding that it was unbecoming on the part of some organisations to attack the pontiff.