Khandre visits family of farmer who died in elephant attack; promises measures to mitigate human-elephant conflict

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre visiting the family of Shanmukha, a farmer, who died in an elephant attack, at Baikere in Sakleshpur taluk on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Shivamogga

Expressing disappointment over the repeated incidents of elephant attacks in Hassan district, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has said he had appealed to the Chief Minister to convene a meeting of officers to resolve the issue.

Mr. Khandre spoke to the media on Friday after visiting the family of Shanmukha at Baikere in Sakleshpur, who died in an elephant attack on April 25.

The Minister said the department had been taking all measures to avoid deaths in elephant attacks. “Even after our sincere efforts, we are witnessing deaths. This is unfortunate. Not even one person should die due to elephant attacks”, he stated.

The wild elephants did not differentiate between forestland and agricultural land. “According to experts, elephants tread in the path that their ancestors marched. The number of elephants has increased due to the effective implementation of the Wildlife Conservation Act. However, the forest cover has not extended in tune with the number of wild elephants,” he said.

Mr. Khandre said he would direct officers to open a unit of the elephant task force at Bikkodu in Belur taluk and alert the local people on the movement of elephants.  He also appealed to the public to be cautious and follow the instructions of the department.

Referring to an appeal by a section of farmers to extend the forest cover by purchasing their private land to address the human-elephant conflict, the Minister said the department would verify whether the conflict could be mitigated by extending the forest cover.

He had requested the Chief Minister to hold a meeting with officers of all departments concerned on the issue.

Further, the Minister said the government had decided to give ₹20 lakh to the families who lost their member in elephant attacks. Shanmukha’s family had received the amount. “The family wants a government job. As per the existing rules, there is no provision to offer government job. However, I will discuss the issue with the Chief Minister,” he added.

The Minister was accompanied by Hassan MP, Shreyas M. Patel, Sakleshpur MLA, ‘Cement’ Manju, Hassan DCF, Sourabh Kumar, and other officers of the department.

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