Karnataka's forest minister holds emergency meet in light of escalating human-elephant conflict

The Forest, Ecology, and Environment minister directed the establishment of an immediate Elephant Task Force (ETF) office in the area and the deployment of a Deputy Conservator of Forests-rank officer to oversee operations.

Mysuru: Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre held an emergency meeting with officials in Bengaluru, on Saturday, in the wake of the escalating human-elephant conflict.

Recently, a woman was trampled to death by an elephant at Bommanahalli, in Belur taluk, Hassan district.

On the other hand, an operation to rescue four elephants in Belur taluk will begin on Sunday.

Seven tamed elephants already arrived at Bikkodu Sasyakshetra in Belur taluk, on Saturday.

CCF V Yedukondalu said the Elephant Task Force (ETF) has been given eight new vehicles to trace the movement of elephants.

Minister directed the officials concerned to set up an ETF office in Belur taluk, to rescue the four elephants that have been frequently spotted by locals of Bikkodu, Arehalli and surrounding villages.

“The ETF should be headed by an officer of ACF rank. The officials should procure two drones with thermal cameras, for night patrolling, to keep a watch on the movement of elephants, and to alert the villagers,” he said.

Protests over escalation in man-elephant conflicts

Susheelamma (47), who was working in a coffee estate at Bommanahalli, died on the spot, following a wild jumbo attack, at Bommanahalli, on Friday.

The villagers expressed their outrage over the failure of the Forest department in preventing deaths, due to man-animal conflict.

They staged a protest, by torching used tyres and blocking the road. They said, four people have died due to elephant menace in Hassan district over the last two months.

The Minister directed the officials to procure two additional jeeps and deploy additional personnel, to keep a watch on the movement of elephants and to respond immediately.

“The ETF and ADC of Hassan should ensure that the contract workers get their salaries on time and that the ETF staff get their allowances for food, uniform, shoe jacket and life insurance. Wherever the mobile network is poor, the staff should be equipped with walkie talkies,” he said.

“The villagers and labourers of farmlands and coffee estates should be sensitised on the do’s and don’ts, when they either spot or encounter elephants. They should be educated on the precautionary measures to be taken during early morning hours and after dark, if they have to go out,” Khandre said.

Additional Chief Secretary for Forests Anjum Parvez, PCCF Meenakshi Negi and Chief Wildlife Warden Subash Malkad were presen