From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 20: Higher compensation for deaths and crop losses suffered by farmers due to the menace of wild elephants in 7 to 8 districts of Karnataka is under serious consideration of the state government and is likely to be announced in the forthcoming budget for the year 2011-12 scheduled to be presented in the assembly next month.
Disclosing this to reporters, Karnataka’s Forest Minister C H Vijayashankar pointed out that as many as 15 people were trampled to death by wild elephants straying into villages bordering forests in the districts of Hassan, Kogadu, Mysore, Chamarajanagar and other districts since 2007.
A total of 15 elephants died due to man-animal conflict during the same period, the minister said.
Vijayashankar and Housing Minister V Somanna, who is also the Hassan district in-charge minister, on Thursday held a meeting with farmers of Hassan and other districts.
They said a new compensation policy would be announced in the coming state budget to pay adequate amount for farmers for the crop loss and deaths caused by elephant menace as the government was currently paying a negligible amount of compensation.
Vijayashankar instructed Forest Department officials to take steps for fencing forest areas by identifying sensitive and hypersensitive places. Translocation of animals, construction of barricades and electricity fencing would reduce straying of wildlife into villages.
Encroachment of forest areas by the nearby villagers led to increased migration of wild animals to villages for food, the Minister said.
Deforestation and construction of development projects were other factors forced wild elephants to stray into human habitations, he said adding that the State government had limited powers to take decisions regarding protection of wildlife and reserve forests.
A delegation led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa would be taken to the national capital to meet Union Minister concerned and explain the problems created by wild elephants in several villages of the State, the ministers said.