Complete repair work of elephant trenches and hanging solar fences in Kodagu: Khandre

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday instructed forest department officials to ensure maintenance of elephant trenches and hanging solar fences, which have been installed in Kodagu district to control human-elephant conflict.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday instructed forest department officials to ensure proper maintenance of elephant trenches and hanging solar fences installed in Kodagu district to mitigate human-elephant conflict.

Mr. Khandre, who met with MLAs A.S. Ponnanna, Manthar Gowda, and Darshan Dhruvanarayan, instructed officials to complete the repair work of the existing 422 km of elephant trenches and 544 km of hanging solar fences within one month.

He said that 38% of deaths caused by human-wildlife conflict in the State occur in Kodagu district and directed officials to increase patrolling.

He also instructed strengthening of the elephant task force and rapid response teams.

Mr. Khandre added that in order to enable staff to respond quickly when elephants and other wildlife enter coffee plantations and to drive them back into forests, four vehicles have already been purchased in addition to the existing six.

The Minister directed that four more vehicles be procured and that local youth be hired on a contract basis to strengthen the task force and improve efficiency.