MLA TD Rajegowda directs forest department to capture elephants causing trouble in Sringeri constituency

CHIKKAMAGALURU: With wild elephants causing trouble for the villagers of Koppa, Sringeri, and Balehonnur in the Sringeri Assembly segment, MLA T D Rajegowda has directed the forest department to prepare a proposal to capture the trouble-mongering elephants.Until now, five people were killed in the Sringeri constituency, and three elephants were captured. The foresters were directed to prepare a proposal to rescue and relocate five elephants that have been creating problems in parts of the district.The proposal will be submitted to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) seeking permission to rescue the elephants as per the Wildlife (Conservation) Act, 1972.Following interactions with the farmers who suffered crop loss due to the elephant menace in Thuppur, near Melpal, the MLA assured them of taking measures to come up with a solution.It is not an easy task to capture elephants, and it requires the highest effort. "Forest department officials risk their lives, and the govt is committed to protecting the farmers' welfare," he said.While a tusker is damaging crops in the Thuppur region, another lone tusker has been roaming in and around Sankse village near Kanur.

Two elephants have been creating trouble in the Sringeri region. However, the MLA has directed the identification of the trouble-creating tuskers.Rajegowda said the population of wild animals has increased. "We have been urging the state govt and the Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to take necessary steps to prevent animal attacks, and it is ongoing. I am meeting the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Khandre next week to explain the menace to them," he said.The elephants have been roaming around villages and, luckily, not attacking humans. However, it is dangerous for school children and pedestrians to move around. Thus, the department must take immediate measures, demanded the villagers.A S Nagaraj Naik of Aralikoppa said that for the last three years, the menace has been rampant. Elephants have been destroying the crops, and we need a solution before they harm human lives, he demanded.A K Poornesh Naik, who lost fully grown hundreds of areca trees, said they need permanent and effective solutions rather than a solar fence. A solar fence would not work without a power supply, and it is not possible to use solar energy in the Malnad region during the rainy season, he explained.Range Forest Officer Ranganath said the department has been keeping an eye on elephants' movements regularly. It has become a nightmare for the department to control them. As the population has increased, elephants are camping in the region.eom