Patel Shivaram, member of the Legislative Council, on Friday said conservation of wildlife alone should not be the motto of the Forest Department. Instead, it should draw up a programme to check man-animal conflict for peaceful co-existence.
Mr. Shivaram was speaking at the valedictory of the Wildlife Conservation Week, organised by the Forest Department here.
People in Sakleshpur, Alur and parts of Arsikere, Holenarsipur and Arkalgud were encountering wild animals, including elephants, leopards and sloth bears. Many people had died and hundreds of farmers had lost their crops owing to marauding wild elephants. “The Forest Department should give importance to protecting the lives of people as it does with wildlife,” he said.
The Forest Department had issued notices to farmers in seven villages of Sakleshpur taluk to increase the forest cover as a measure to counter elephant menace in the region. Farmers had been demanding adequate compensation for the land they were willing to part with. “The State government should consider their demand favourably, and take up the project seriously,” he said.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Ganesh S. Bhat, in his preliminary remarks, said that the objective of organising a wildlife week was to spread public awareness on wildlife and importance of conserving it for the betterment of future.
“Wildlife conservation is essential for the betterment of future generations. Karnataka stands first in terms of elephant population. The Forest Department is taking appropriate measures to avoid man-animal conflicts in areas bordering forests,” he said.
The department had organised a quiz programme for schoolchildren, in which the Deputy Conservator of Forests played the role of a quiz master.
H.S. Prakash, MLA, distributed prizes to winners.
Malenadu Janapara Horata Samiti had organised an exhibition of snakes for students. Snake enthusiast Sheshappa displayed the snakes.
Objective of organising wildlife week is to spread public awareness on importance of wildlife conservation.
Ganesh S. Bhat,
Deputy Conservator of Forests
