Forest dept worried over lack of EPTs, solar fencing in Bandipur

  • | Friday | 15th February, 2019

Besides the absence of EPTs, lack of adequate solar fencing along the borders of the reserve is the other major concern for the officials of the forest department. Human-animal conflict cases rise significantly in the summer months straying into villages foraging for food, and water. We had sent a proposal for developing an EPT and setting up solar fencing to cover an area of 4.05sqkm. Mysuru: A recent incident wherein a herd of 16 elephants ventured beyond the forest borders, and strayed into human habitation triggering panic among residents in the area. Some of the animals manage to get past the hillock, and enter human habitation, much to the chagrin of the residents.

Mysuru: A recent incident wherein a herd of 16 elephants ventured beyond the forest borders, and strayed into human habitation triggering panic among residents in the area. The incident has turned the spotlight back on the gaping void along the periphery of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve where the elephant proof trenches (EPTs) ought to be to prevent incidence of human-animal conflict Officials of the forest department are certain to be sleeping fitfully in the run-up to the summer, worried about the absence of SPTs. Human-animal conflict cases rise significantly in the summer months straying into villages foraging for food, and water. Besides the absence of EPTs, lack of adequate solar fencing along the borders of the reserve is the other major concern for the officials of the forest department. Villages in Nanjangud and Heggada Devana (HD) Kote have been identified as sensitive areas, where extra caution is being taken in order to prevent both animals and humans coming into danger.Officials of the forest department admit to lack of adequate safety measures near Chikkadevamma Betta in HD Kote taluk. The area, as the name suggests, is a hillock which is hemmed in by long eucalyptus trees. “Elephants frequent the region to drink from a stream that gurgles near the hillock. Chikkadevamma Betta falls in that region that constitutes the backwaters of Nugu Reservoir, and consequently, it attracts many wild animals. Some of the animals manage to get past the hillock, and enter human habitation, much to the chagrin of the residents. An area of roughly 17.26sqkm is unprotected, which is a major concern for us,” an official of the forest department said.A veterinarian pointed to the elephant’s strong sense of smell, to which he ascribed the disproportionate presence of jumbos in cases of human-animal conflict. “Elephants are voracious eaters, and can travel easily at night. They keep chewing food for nearly 18 hours in a day,” he added.The other challenge the forest department has to confront is the reluctance among the villagers to report sighting of elephants to the authorities concerned. “What they do instead is drive the jumbos to other villagers, which is hardly a solution. In fact, it only makes driving elephant herds back to the woods more difficult,” said another forester.Range forest officer for Omkara Range of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve NP Naveen Kumar told TOI, “We have requested villagers to be vigilant, and keep a close watch on animal activity in their fields. The trouble is that few have obliged our request. What they do is drive the herd away to protect their crops. We had sent a proposal for developing an EPT and setting up solar fencing to cover an area of 4.05sqkm. The proposal has been approved, and work will commence at the earliest.”

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Latest Mysore headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles