Karnataka seeks Central government funding for elephant corridor project

BENGALURU: The state government is planning to acquire private land for its elephant corridor project at a cost of Rs 272 crore as installation of barriers has proved to be a failure in the fragmented forest habitat. It has asked the Centre to provide funds under CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) scheme.

Despite capture and relocation of 22 elephants in 2013-14, Hassan district is witnessing rising incidents of human-elephant conflict. Further, with the migration of a few herds from Madikeri to Hassan, it has taken a serious turn.

Forest officials and wildlife experts say that with any capture-relocation programme, a vacuum is created and the villagers get temporary relief. However, this space once again gets occupied by a different group of wild elephants.

The migration of elephants from Somwarpet to Shanivarsanthe (Kodagu district) and further on to Bisele forests (Hassan district) is a traditional route followed for centuries. Manoj Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu, said.

On the night of June 3, a herd of elephants came on Honkaravalli Road in Saklespur. However, seeing the huge crowds on both sides of the road, one elephant picked up Arun Kumar, a resident of Hyduru village, Alur taluk, and threw him on the ground. He succumbed to his injuries on June 4 and the government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh even as villagers launched a protest. In the last few months, the conflict situation has escalated.

Recently, Forest Minister Ramanath Rai informed the Assembly that the state government had written to the Centre seeking `272 crore under the CAMPA scheme for tackling the conflict issue in Hassan district.