Madikeri: The number of wild animals is increasing every day, and to avoid damage to lives and crops, suggestions have been received to control the breeding of select wildlife in some areas, said forest minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday. He added that this matter needs to be discussed publicly by experts.
Expert Committee on Elephant-Human Conflict
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the new hanging bridge and officers' quarters at Dubare near Kushalnagar, the minister stated that an expert committee has been formed to control elephant-human conflict, and it has submitted a report. He urged people living on the edge of the forest to provide their feedback on the issue.
New Hanging Bridge at Dubare
The hanging bridge will be built at a cost of Rs 7.3 crore at the tourist site. "For the convenience of tourists and to facilitate the residents in Dubare, a quality bridge is being built. Through this, a long-standing demand is being fulfilled," Khandre said. There is no shortage of funds for the construction of railway barricades and elephant trenches. He also appealed to the Chief Minister to provide more funds so that more barricades can be installed as soon as possible.
Modern Technology and Safety Measures
The forest department is using modern technology to monitor the movement of elephants. Forest dwellers and forest fringe people have protected the forest for a long time, but today, precious lives are being lost due to human-wildlife conflict. The minister emphasized that officers and staff should give first priority to saving people's lives.
Dignitaries Present
MLA Manthar Gowda, principal chief conservator of forests and chief of forest force Meenakshi Negi, PCCF (wildlife) Kumar Pushkar, Mahant Shivalinga Swami of Manehalli Mutt, and Rudramuni Swami of Kallahalli Mutt were present at the event.
BJP Activists Taken into Custody
In a related incident, BJP activists led by the Somwarpet Mandal president Gautham were taken into preventive custody by the police as they planned to wave black flags, seeking action to curb human-animal conflict at Guddehosuru. Kushalnagar police arrested 24 BJP workers and took them to Madikeri before releasing them later. However, district BJP president Ravi Kalappa and mandal president Gautham claimed that they were waiting to explain to the minister regarding the wildlife-human conflict in Kodagu and to urge for a permanent solution, but the police forcibly arrested them.
