Proposal for relocation of Indian gaurs awaiting Karnataka govt nod

Chikkamagaluru: A proposed plan to capture and relocate Indian gaurs similar to elephant relocation efforts has remained pending for over a year due to lack of government approval, officials said.

Human–wildlife conflict involving wild elephants and Indian gaurs has been increasing across the district. Over the past three years, six people have lost their lives and several others have been injured in such incidents. Areas including Kalasa, Koppa, Mudigere, and Sringeri have reported frequent movement of Indian gaurs near human settlements.

Officials had earlier visited the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to study the relocation of Indian gaurs to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, where the population of the species had significantly declined. The last Indian gaur in Bandhavgarh reportedly died in 1998. To restore the population, authorities began relocating Indian gaurs from Kanha Tiger Reserve, located about 250 km away, in 2011. According to officials who participated in the study visit, more than 170 Indian gaurs are now present in Bandhavgarh National Park.

In Karnataka, authorities have already implemented relocation measures for elephants. Officials said that once government approves the proposal, the funds will be granted. A team of experts will prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) and provide necessary training to field staff.

Local residents have urged authorities to expedite the process. 

 Indian gaurs frequently straying into villages would first be identified and tranquilised. They would then be transported in specially designed trucks to designated forest locations. Officials explained that the captured animals cannot be released immediately into a new forest. Instead, they must be kept in a controlled enclosure for a few days to acclimatise to the new environment before being released into the wild.

Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre said officials had already visited Madhya Pradesh to study relocation of Indian Gaur. “The proposal is still under discussion, and steps will be taken on this shortly,” he stated.