Minister directs officials to tackle human-animal conflict on the rise in Kodagu
Kodagu district in-charge Minister N.S. Boseraju on Friday instructed the Forest Department officials to devise effective, long-term measures to tackle the growing human-animal conflict in the district.
Presiding over the district-level Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) tri-monthly review meeting in Madikeri, the Minister said that the conflict with wild elephant continues unabated, and he called for scientific and permanent solutions.
He spoke to Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre over the phone, suggesting a meeting in Bengaluru with Kodagu MLAs and senior forest officials to discuss forest-related challenges.
A.S. Ponnanna, MLA, raised concerns over the increasing elephant attacks that result in human casualties. While barricades and trenches have been created, elephants continue to raid villages in groups. Mantar Gowda, MLA, criticised the lack of coordination among forest officials, and said that elephants are merely chased from one area to another without addressing the root problem.
MLC S.L. Bhoje Gowda suggested scientific interventions, preservation of forest ponds, and replacing eucalyptus and acacia trees with fruit-bearing and bamboo species to provide adequate food for wildlife within forests.
Issues like permanent rehabilitation for flood-affected families in Karadigodu village, reparation of rain-damaged roads, etc. were discussed at the meeting. Directions were also issued to the Escom officials to remain alert in case of power disruptions during monsoon.
The Minister directed the officials to address grievances of aided schools and ensure basic facilities. The Agriculture Department was asked to ensure timely distribution of seeds and fertilisers for paddy and maize this season.
Later, Mr. Boseraju, along with Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister's Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna, visited Cheriyaparambu in the Napoklu region to inspect the rain-affected places.
The Minister inspected the bridge built across the Cauvery river and assessed the surrounding areas. Mr. Boseraju instructed the officials to take precautionary measures to ensure public safety and road connectivity, if the bridge gets cut-off in case of floods in the river.
Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, and others were present.
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