29-05-2025
Elephant attacks: Hassan DC issues order changing working hours for plantation workers in Belur
Shivamogga
Hassan Deputy Commissioner C. Sathyabhama has issued an order fixing the timing for plantation workers in Arehalli, Bikkodu, and Kasaba hoblis of Belur taluk, in view of the movement of wild elephants in the area.
As many as four plantation workers have died in elephant attacks in the taluk since February this year.
In her order issued on Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner stated that plantation workers could work in the coffee estates between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. She issued the order as the provisions under the Minimum Wages (Central) Rules, 1950.
It comes into effect immediately. She has asked the officers of the Forest Department and the police to inform the public in the area about the order.
Four deaths
Dyavamma, 74, of Kanakuppe village in Arehalli hobli died after she was attacked by an elephant on February 13. Anil, 28, of Gujjanahalli in the same hobli, died in a similar incident on February 24. Again on March 14, a jumbo trampled Susheelamma, 63, of Kogodu village (Arehalli) to death. In the latest incident on May 23, Chandrakala, 43, of Ankihalli in Bikkodu village died.
Normally, plantation workers go to estates to work early in the morning and return home by afternoon. However, Ms. Sathyabhama noted that elephant herds prefer moving one place to another between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Most of the incidents of human-elephant conflict occurred during that time. Considering this, the Deputy Commissioner felt the need for restricting the time for plantation workers.
