Karnataka: Comprehensive plan to avert elephant-human conflicts to cost Rs 200 crore
Belagavi: In a bid to address the growing concern of elephant-human conflicts in the state, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre informed the Legislative Council on Monday that a comprehensive plan involving the construction of barricades is underway at a cost of Rs 200 crore.
Responding to a query by MLC K Harish Kumar, Minister Khandre disclosed that the installation of a 640 km long rail barricade is currently in progress, with 312 km already completed. The entire initiative, aimed at curbing elephant incursions and enhancing public safety, is budgeted at Rs 200 crore.
To promote grassland conservation and development in forest zones, the removal of dense growths of lantana and eupatorium weeds has commenced. This clearing process facilitates the growth of grass, crucial for sustaining the forest ecosystem.
Elephant task forces, comprising officers and staff, have been established in districts including Hassan, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Ramanagara, and Bengaluru.
He said that efforts are also being made to develop the habitat of wild animals within forest reserves through the construction and rejuvenation of water tanks.
Compensation has been distributed in 90 per cent of cases to farmers who suffered crop damage due to elephant encounters, he said, adding that additional compensation is promised for cases involving loss of human lives.
Warning boards have been placed alongside national highways bordering dense forest areas.
Special teams have been formed to guide wild elephants back into the forest, with communication facilitated through a wireless network.
The Minister said a 24-hour information center has been established to collect data on wild elephant movements. Steps are being taken to fit an adult female elephant in the herd with a radio collar to study their movements and provide the information to the people through SMS and WhatsApp.
Identifying and relocating troublemaking elephants is also part of the strategy, coupled with public contact meetings in areas with a high incidence of wild elephant menace.
