Farmers Protest Against Elephant Raids in Shivamogga, Urge Immediate Action

The ongoing elephant menace near Ayanur Hobli, close to Shivamogga city, continues to devastate local farmers surrounding the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, prompting them to demand immediate action from the forest department. In a recent protest outside the office of the deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), farmers from Purudal village voiced their frustrations, with one individual attempting suicide by ingesting poison, though he was swiftly rescued by police.

Farmers from Guddada Arakere village have joined the outcry, warning that if the department does not address the rampant crop-raiding by elephants, they will resort to drastic measures. The affected communities, including those from Sirigere, Purudal, Alada Hosur, and Guddada Arakere, have reported substantial losses to areca, banana, and paddy crops, leaving them devastated and on high alert throughout the night to safeguard their fields.

The farmers are demanding urgent intervention from the forest department to curb these elephant raids and are also seeking compensation for their losses. They have threatened to escalate their protests if no action is taken. In response, forest authorities revealed to TOI that captive elephants from the nearby Sakrebilu elephant camp have been enlisted to help drive the wild elephants back into the forest.

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