<p>Chikkamagaluru: To mitigate human-elephant conflicts, a site near Tanudi between Balehonnur and Kalasa in Chikkamagaluru district has been finalised to set up an elephant camp. However, the project awaits government funding.</p><p>Currently, the state has three elephant camps including one each in Bandipur, Sakrebailu in Shivamogga, and Dubare in Kodagu.</p><p>With increasing conflicts between elephants and humans in the Malnad regions of Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts, elephants from distant camps have to be brought for operations to capture elephants causing trouble.</p><p>So, senior forest officials had directed the Chikkamagaluru forest division to identify suitable locations for a camp in Chikkamagaluru district. </p><p>A team of experts shortlisted eight potential sites, ultimately recommending three. In October, a proposal seeking funds for the camp was submitted to the government. While the project has not been rejected, no official response or approval has been received yet. Forest officials remain optimistic that the proposal will get approval shortly.</p><p><strong>Residents’ concern</strong></p><p>Some local residents have expressed concern that an elephant camp could lead to an increase in elephant activity in the region. However, officials clarified that the camp would serve to mitigate, not exacerbate, the human-elephant conflict.</p><p>The Forest Department emphasised that the camp would help facilitate quick action during emergencies and provide a long-term solution for managing wild elephants in the region.</p>
<p>Chikkamagaluru: To mitigate human-elephant conflicts, a site near Tanudi between Balehonnur and Kalasa in Chikkamagaluru district has been finalised to set up an elephant camp. However, the project awaits government funding.</p><p>Currently, the state has three elephant camps including one each in Bandipur, Sakrebailu in Shivamogga, and Dubare in Kodagu.</p><p>With increasing conflicts between elephants and humans in the Malnad regions of Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts, elephants from distant camps have to be brought for operations to capture elephants causing trouble.</p><p>So, senior forest officials had directed the Chikkamagaluru forest division to identify suitable locations for a camp in Chikkamagaluru district. </p><p>A team of experts shortlisted eight potential sites, ultimately recommending three. In October, a proposal seeking funds for the camp was submitted to the government. While the project has not been rejected, no official response or approval has been received yet. Forest officials remain optimistic that the proposal will get approval shortly.</p><p><strong>Residents’ concern</strong></p><p>Some local residents have expressed concern that an elephant camp could lead to an increase in elephant activity in the region. However, officials clarified that the camp would serve to mitigate, not exacerbate, the human-elephant conflict.</p><p>The Forest Department emphasised that the camp would help facilitate quick action during emergencies and provide a long-term solution for managing wild elephants in the region.</p>
