` 130 cr proposal to solve human-elephant conflict

The forest department has submitted a Rs 130.16 crore proposal to the State government to solve man-elephant conflict in Kodagu. The proposal was sent by Forest Minister C H Vijayshankar who is also the Kodagu District-in-Charge Minister, to the State government through Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF).

The proposal has sought Rs 1,936.48 lakh for constructing elephant proof trenches (EPT), solar fencing and retaining walls. Besides, a sum of Rs 153.32 lakh has been sought for constructing tanks and desilting existing tanks to quench the thirst of wild elephants.

In addition, a sum of Rs 10,899 lakh has been sought for planting saplings which would serve as food for elephants, after cutting the existing acacia and other unproductive trees.

Though a proposal for Rs 350 crore was submitted to the Forest department when the BJP government came to power after holding a meeting at Aranya Bhavan under the leadership of two MLAs of the district, not even a penny has been released so far.

In the meanwhile, a review meet held on December 3 and chaired by Forest Minister C H Vijayshankar, which discussed in detail the human-elephant conflict, had decided to submit a detailed project proposal to the State government. In fact, the present proposal was submitted as per the directions of the Forest Minister.

As the Forest Minister himself is the District-in-Charge Minister, there is some hope of funds release for the project. It may be recalled that the Minister had told the review meet that there will not be any shortage of funds for the purpose.

Nod to trap 2 elephants

Out of the four rouge elephants which have been damaging the crops in the district, the Central government has given permission to trap two rogue elephants. Even the forest department officials have been directed to identify the two elephants which have been going on the rampage in Polibetta, Ammatthi and Siddapura areas, said DCF K S Anand to Deccan Herald.

In fact, these rogue elephants had killed three elephants belonging to Dubare elephant camp in the last two years. The mahouts too have been asked to identify the rogue elephants, he added.

Though the rogue elephants have been destroying and damaging crops at Shanthalli and Kajoor in Somwarpet taluk and Bhagamandala in Madikeri taluk, no loss of life has been reported. Of late, the pachyderms have been damaging property in Hassan district. The operation to nab rogue elephants in Kodagu would start once the rogue elephants in Hassan are trapped, he added.

The Elephant Core Committee constituted to suggest measures to the State Government to reduce man-elephant conflict in Kodagu, Mysore, Chamarajanagar and other districts is headed by Ajay Mishra, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Project Elephant, Mysore.