To address the escalating human-elephant conflict in Chikkamagaluru’s Narasimharaja Pura taluk, a permanent elephant task force is in the pipeline. The conflict has taken a grim toll, with two fatalities reported in just 20 days—Eliaz of Madaboor and Umesh of Seetur, both victims of elephant attacks.
MLA T.D. Rajegowda, while issuing a ₹15 lakh compensation cheque to Eliaz’s family, pledged to push for the task force. “Through district minister K.J. George, I will urge CM Siddaramaiah and forest minister Eshwar B. Khandre to establish a skilled and permanent elephant task force,” he stated. Rajegowda also announced an additional ₹1 lakh personal assistance for families affected by these attacks.
Plans include building a 62-kilometer rail barricade to deter elephant intrusions, an endeavor estimated to cost several crores. To expedite conflict mitigation, alternative fencing methods such as tentacle fencing—estimated at ₹4 crore—are being considered.
Other measures include providing the forest department with motorboats and equipment for emergency responses, establishing a control room for tracking elephant movements, and promoting solar fences for crop protection with a 50% subsidy. Local gram panchayats have been instructed to repair streetlights and place banners in high-risk zones.
Deputy Conservator of Forests N. Nandeesh emphasized that the current task force of eight members is inadequate. “A permanent task force is critical to effectively mitigate the problem,” he noted.