In a display of anger over the insensitive attitude of authorities in Bangalore on the elephant menace in various districts, Janata Dal (Secular) Floor Leader M. C. Nanaiah on Thursday said: “You will come to know about the seriousness of the problem only if a herd of eight to 10 wild elephants enter the Vidhana Soudha premises when the legislature session is going on. When you are stranded and cannot go back to your houses in the evening, you will be able to realise the seriousness of the problem. A large number of people in various parts of the State are going through this ordeal almost on a daily basis.”
Problems in district
Narrating the problems in his home district of Kodagu while tabling a call-attention notice in the Council, he said: “There are instances where wild elephants have been camping in some coffee estates for more than three years. People just cannot step out of their houses after 6 p.m. in most of the estates. They are living in fear. Besides, the elephants are inflicting huge losses by destroying their crops.”
Responding to the issue raised by him, Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai said the government would take steps for translocation of the elephants which have strayed into the coffee estates of Kodagu district to the Nagarahole reserve forests.
After shifting them, a 41-km trench would be created to prevent their return. He said 23 squads of forest officials have been formed in Kodagu district to drive away wild elephants from human settlements.
Mr. Ramanath Rai said he would hold a meeting of Forest Department officials and legislators of Kodagu district in Madikeri next month to discuss how to handle the increasing elephant menace in the area.
