To address the issue of man-animal conflict, especially in Kodagu, the Department of Forests on Tuesday decided to prepare an action plan to replace teak plantations in the national park area with elephant fodder species. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of elected representatives of the areas affected by man-animal conflict and senior officials of the department. “It is part of habitat management technique practices. A decision has been taken to plant fruit-yielding varieties, which help in restricting elephants from straying into human habitat,” said Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai.
Chhattisgarh has come forward to adopt elephants from Karnataka. With increase in the population of elephants, the Karnataka government is planning to donate a few to other States that come forward to adopt them. “Chhattisgarh’s Minister for Forests, who visited Karnataka recently, showed interest in adopting elephants from the State. The department is examining the request. “There are no legal hassles in giving elephants for adoption,” Mr. Rai said.
