MLC to submit calling attention seeking Elephant Task Force in DK
MLC Ivan D'Souza told TOI that the region needs an ETF with all necessary infrastructure and manpower, as the region has been witnessing instances of man-animal conflicts. The Mangaluru division has been depending on elephant trackers from the Madikeri division whenever an elephant is found in human habitats, leading to a delay in operations.
He added that a calling attention motion will be moved seeking the establishment of an ETF for the Mangaluru division of the Karnataka forest, seeking a reply from forest minister Eshwar Khandre.
The Mangaluru division has 95km of natural elephant path, and the national highways on Charmadi Ghat, Shiradi Ghat, and Mani-Madikeri stretches also pass through the forest. Several reasons, including fires inside the forest, lead to an increase in elephants moving towards roads and human habitats. Further, developmental activities in the forest also lead to the straying of elephants to other locations, he said.
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The majority of the posts in the Mangaluru division remain vacant, he said, adding that 171 out of 328 positions were not filled. "Whenever elephants enter human habitats, the department faces difficulties in capturing them or chasing them away. Hence, to prevent loss of lives and properties, establishing an ETF is essential for the region. The ETF should be established in line with the ones set up in Hassan, Chikkamagalur, and Madikeri divisions," he said, suggesting that an ETF with Sullia as its headquarters and a unit in Gundya needs to be established.
It would require about Rs 1.7 crore to set up an office, control room, purchase vehicles, appoint staff, and other infrastructure. Further, the sanction required towards the salary of 32 skilled watchers to be appointed on an outsourced basis will be around Rs 64 lakh for the next eight months, he added.
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