Kodagu district accounts for 38% of State’s human-wildlife conflict deaths: Minister

Kodagu district faces high human-wildlife conflict deaths; Minister mandates urgent repairs to elephant trenches and enhanced safety measures.

Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has instructed officials to ensure the proper maintenance of elephant trenches and solar-powered fencing installed to control human–elephant conflict in Kodagu district.

Expressing concern over the loss of human lives due to wildlife conflicts in Kodagu, the Minister directed that the repair and maintenance of the existing 422 km of elephant trenches and 544 km of hanging solar fences be completed within one month.

Mr. Khandre was speaking at a meeting held recently in Bengaluru with Kodagu MLAs — A.S. Ponnanna and Mantar Gowda — and Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Nanjangud MLA, and senior forest officials.

He noted that 38% of deaths due to human–wildlife conflict in the State are reported from Kodagu district and instructed officials to increase patrolling. The Minister also directed that the elephant task force, rapid response teams, and other human–wildlife conflict mitigation units be strengthened.

Four vehicles have already been purchased in addition to the existing six to enable staff to respond quickly when elephants and other wildlife enter plantations, he said.

He added that instructions have been issued to procure four more vehicles and to engage enthusiastic local youth on an outsourced basis to join the task force and enhance field-level operations.