Mangaluru: Increasing incidents of elephant attacks in Sullia, Kadaba, and Beltangady have left farmers living in fear, with crops destroyed and human lives at risk.
MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur, along with a delegation from the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh, met forest minister Eshwar Khandre in Bengaluru, urging swift measures. Puttur highlighted that human-wildlife conflicts have worsened, citing a recent attack by an Indian Gaur in Jalsur, Sullia.
He proposed forming a special Elephant Task Force (ETF) for affected regions, convening a high-level meeting with elected representatives, farmers, and forest officials to draft a comprehensive action plan. He also demanded enhanced compensation for loss of life and crop damage, stating current amounts are insufficient, and called for simplified procedures to obtain gun licences for self-defense.
Minister Khandre assured a district visit soon to review the situation and explore solutions.