Kodagu human-wildlife conflict: Forest Minister to meet affected people

Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy will visit Kodagu on August 28 amid growing concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the district.

Chief Minister’s Political Secretary and Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna said in Madikeri on Saturday that the Minister would meet local residents and people affected by wildlife conflict and hold discussions on measures to address the issue.

Mr. Ponnanna said two elephants had been captured during recent operations. However, releasing the animals back into the forest could result in them returning to plantations, highlighting the need for a more systematic approach to managing the captured elephants.

Kodagu currently has elephant camps only at Dubare and Mathigodu, and the captured elephants have been shifted to Dubare. The number of kraals at the camp should be increased and facilities strengthened, he said.

A proposal for the “soft release” of elephants had been mooted by a previous Forest Minister, Mr. Ponnanna said, adding that the government would consider implementing the proposal if it was found beneficial.

He said measures such as railway barricades, trenches and solar fencing were being taken up in phases to restrict elephant movement into human habitations and plantations. Translocation of elephants to States with lower elephant populations could also be explored, he added.

“There is a Project Elephant scheme, but Kodagu has not received even a single rupee under it. Political parties should come together and support efforts to find a solution. Instead of staging protests, Opposition leaders should meet Union Ministers and pursue the issue,” Mr. Ponnanna said.