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The Hindu

Minister calls for urgent measures to prevent killing of wild animals and cattle in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar dist.

Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister and Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister K. Venkatesh on Thursday directed Forest Department officials to take stringent and urgent preventive measures to ensure that wild animals and cattle are not killed in forest border areas and nearby villages. In the wake of the recent deaths of five tigers by poisoning in the Hoogyam range of the M.M. Hills Wildlife Division, and the death of monkeys in the Kandagalu area of Gundlupet range, the Minister held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and Forest officials in Hanur to gather information. He was updated on the ongoing investigation being conducted by Central and State-level officials on the tiger deaths, and sought details on the current stage of the probe. The Minister instructed officials to remain extra vigilant in protecting cattle in villages bordering forests, and take steps to prevent wild animals from straying into villages in search of food. Under the MGNREGA scheme, fodder cultivation should be promoted and ponds constructed in villages near forests to benefit cattle, he said, emphasising that there should be no shortage of fodder or water for local livestock. Patrolling in forest areas and adjoining villages must be intensified, including special night patrols, he directed. Deploying watchers and other forest staff under proper supervision will help prevent wildlife attacks, he advised. 'When wild animals attack cattle, forest officials must build confidence among farmers and villagers by consoling them and should respond immediately,' the Minister suggested. The Minister stressed that it is the responsibility of the Forest Department to ensure timely payment of salaries to outsourced staff in the M.M. Wildlife Division. 'This issue should be brought to the notice of higher authorities without any delay and resolved at the earliest,' he instructed. The Minister assured that steps would be taken to get necessary grants sanctioned to provide protection and basic facilities for wildlife, people, and livestock in forest fringe areas. MLA M.R. Manjunath, CADA Chairman P. Mariswamy, former MLA R. Narendra, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag, and other officials were present.