Madikeri: The wild elephant crisis in Kodagu has intensified, prompting Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna to direct forest officials to act immediately. He promised to bring the forest minister to the district for urgent discussions on the escalating conflict.
The concern was raised during a meeting in South Kodagu after B Shettigeri gram panchayat president Kollira Bopanna highlighted increasing elephant incursions near the panchayat. Ponnanna met senior forest officials to assess the situation and push for action.
The government has sanctioned ₹21 crore to tackle the human-elephant conflict in Kodagu, with ₹3.5 crore earmarked specifically for B Shettigeri. When asked about railway barricades, DFO Nehru said construction would begin after the monsoon, but additional funds are required to complete 70% of the proposed 16 km barrier.
However, Bopanna accused the Ponnampet forest range officer Shankar and his staff of being unresponsive. He demanded the appointment of locally based staff, security support, and regular salaries for those handling elephant drives.
Former taluk panchayat president Umesh Kechamayya criticized delays in the railway barricade work and stressed the need for faster compensation for affected farmers. Officials including Tahsildar Mohan Kumar and ACF Gopal were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, elephant incursions continued in villages under Nariyandada GP. Homes and estates in Cheyyandane, Kokeri, Chelavara, and Nariyandada suffered damage. Farmer Shyanbogar Sumanth reported that forest officials have ignored repeated complaints about eight destructive elephants.
In Kirundadu and Kaikadu villages, elephants ravaged crops and plantations belonging to several farmers, including Kalianda Poovanna, KD Mohan, and Hamsa. Villagers are urgently seeking relocation of elephants and fair compensation.