Karnataka Government Approves Direct Recruitment of 15 Veterinarians to Address Animal Welfare Concerns
In a significant move to bolster animal healthcare services, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre announced on Wednesday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sanctioned the direct recruitment of 15 veterinarians across the state. This decision comes as a direct response to the Bharatiya Janata Party's recent criticism highlighting 13 vacant veterinary positions in state zoos and allegations of neglect towards animal welfare.
Immediate Measures and Recruitment Timeline
Speaking to reporters in Bhadravathi, Minister Khandre confirmed that the state finance department has already cleared the proposal for these permanent appointments. He has issued strict instructions to officials to complete the formal hiring process within a six-month timeframe. To ensure no gap in veterinary services during this period, the minister has ordered the immediate recruitment of veterinarians on an outsourcing basis to fill the existing vacancies promptly.
Progress on Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary Denotification
Simultaneously, Minister Khandre provided updates on two long-pending environmental and rehabilitation matters. The denotification process for the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is now in its final stages. He explained that the original 1974 notification erroneously included approximately 395 square kilometers of land that encompasses public infrastructure such as bus stands, Food Corporation of India godowns, Agricultural Produce Market Committee yards, government offices, and residential areas.
The minister is personally inspecting these areas to reach a fair and final resolution that balances conservation needs with public interest.
Sharavathi Backwater Compensation Nearing Completion
Regarding the Sharavathi backwater issue, Khandre noted that following Supreme Court directions for coordination between Union and state governments, the revenue department is currently identifying eligible beneficiaries. This initiative aims to provide permanent relief for a struggle that has persisted for more than six decades, affecting numerous families in the region.
Enhanced Measures to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict
To further address human-wildlife conflicts across Karnataka, the forest minister highlighted several proactive measures being implemented:
- Deployment of dedicated elephant and leopard task forces
- Increased staffing in vulnerable forest areas
- Installation of railway barricades and solar fencing
- Establishment of integrated command centers for rapid response
The primary objective of these initiatives is to ensure that not a single human or animal life is lost due to conflict situations.
Action Promised on Elephant Welfare Complaints
Minister Khandre also addressed concerns about animal treatment, specifically mentioning that he has received a report regarding complaints of ill-treatment of elephants at the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp. He assured that appropriate action will be taken after thorough investigation to ensure proper care and welfare of the animals.
These announcements reflect the Karnataka government's comprehensive approach to addressing both immediate veterinary service gaps and long-standing wildlife management challenges across the state.
