Resolve human-animal conflicts through scientific approach, instructs CM officials at KDP meeting in Mysuru

Prime Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday (November 10) directed officials to find effective solutions to the human-animal conflict using scientific methods.

The conflict, which had claimed the lives of three farmers and seriously injured another in the region in the recent past, came up during the meeting of the Karnataka Development Program (KDP) at the Zilla Panchayat building in Mysuru on Monday.

While wondering why tigers and elephants were coming out of the forests, Mr. Siddaramaiah suggested a series of measures to prevent this, including filling ponds and other water bodies in the forest with adequate water, removing lantana weeds, growing fodder in the forests and continuously monitoring the movements of elephants and tigers leaving the forest areas.

He said a separate meeting will be convened to discuss measures to prevent human-wildlife conflict and asked officials to be fully prepared with complete information and proposals to resolve the thorny issue.

However, the officials informed the Chief Minister that a helpline has already been set up and efforts are underway to set up a command center.

Meanwhile, Mr. Siddaramaiah asked officials about the reasons behind rejection of as many as 5,900 applications out of 7,000 received under the Forest Rights Act. The deputy commissioner pointed out that the applications had been rejected between 2019 and 2020. He also said that applications that had been rejected without clear and valid reasons had been reconsidered.

Ranger stopped

Mr. Siddaramaiah apprehended a forest officer who was unable to provide accurate data on the extent of social forestry in Mysuru district.

An upset prime minister lashed out at the official, questioning his efficiency. “Should I come to your house to collect this information?” he asked.

Meanwhile, HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu brought to the attention of the Chief Minister that lack of coordination among forest department officials was causing many problems.

The officials were then warned of stern action if poor coordination or dereliction of duty led to loss of life.

Mr Chikkamadu even raised issues regarding tribal hamlets in HD Kote. Though electricity connections have been established in 16 hamlets, electricity supply has still not started, he said.

Referring to the other problems faced by the residents of Haadis, Mr. Siddaramaiah directed the officials to address the issues with sincerity and humanity.

Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, who is also the minister in charge of Mysuru district, MLAs GT Deve Gowda, Tanveer Sait and TS Srivatsa were also present on the occasion.