Mangaluru: Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya has urged the Forest Department and Dakshina Kannada district administration to implement permanent measures to prevent elephants from straying into agricultural fields and plantations, causing extensive crop losses and hardship to farmers.
The issue was raised at the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting chaired by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta on Saturday. Murulya called for stronger and long-term interventions, including the installation of solar fencing along the boundaries of forest areas to stop elephants from entering agricultural land.
The meeting also discussed the establishment of a proposed elephant camp at Gundya, pending compensation for farmers affected by crop destruction and the need for action over the death of a peacock at the premises of Gail Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (GMPL).
Demand for solar fencing along forest boundaries
Raising concerns over repeated elephant incursions, Murulya said farmers living near forest areas continued to face crop damage despite ongoing efforts by the Forest Department to drive wild elephants back into the forests.
She urged officials to focus on preventive infrastructure rather than relying only on teams deployed after elephants enter plantations and agricultural fields. According to her, solar fencing along the periphery of forest areas could serve as an important barrier and help reduce human-elephant conflict.
Elephant movement into agricultural areas has emerged as a recurring concern in several parts of Dakshina Kannada, with farmers suffering losses to standing crops and plantations. The MLA stressed the need for a permanent and coordinated solution to protect agricultural livelihoods.
Officials informed the DISHA meeting that farmers were already being offered a 50% subsidy for the installation of solar fencing as a preventive measure against elephant incursions. However, the discussion highlighted the need for broader and more systematic protection along vulnerable forest boundaries.
Gundya elephant camp proposal awaits approval
The meeting was informed that a proposal to establish an elephant camp at Gundya has been submitted to the government and approval is awaited.
Officials said such a facility could strengthen the district’s capacity to manage elephants that frequently move into human habitations and agricultural areas. The proposed camp is expected to support the Forest Department’s efforts in responding to elephant-related incidents and addressing the recurring conflict.
At present, an Elephant Task Force comprising 25 personnel is operational in Dakshina Kannada. The team is involved in monitoring elephant movement and making efforts to drive the animals back into forest areas after they stray into plantations and other inhabited areas.
According to officials, around 80 elephants have been involved in crop damage incidents across Dakshina Kannada. Around 10 elephants are currently present in the Aanegundi Reserve Forest area alone.
The figures underline the scale of the challenge faced by the Forest Department, particularly in areas located close to forested regions. While task force personnel continue to respond to incidents, elected representatives at the meeting emphasised the importance of long-term preventive measures.
Rs 73 lakh compensation still pending
Compensation for crop losses caused by elephants also came under discussion at the meeting.
During 2026-27, compensation amounting to Rs 3.3 lakh has been released to 19 people who suffered crop losses due to elephant incursions. However, compensation worth Rs 73 lakh is still pending for 381 affected farmers.
Officials said the pending amount would be disbursed once the government releases the required funds.
The delay in compensation has added to the concerns of farmers who have already suffered financial losses due to damage to crops and plantations. For many affected families, timely compensation is an important form of relief while authorities work towards preventing future incidents.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said he would discuss the issue with the Deputy Conservator of Forests and the Chief Conservator of Forests to explore permanent solutions to the recurring elephant menace.
The proposed discussions are expected to examine measures that can provide better protection to agricultural areas and reduce the frequency of elephant movement into human-dominated regions.
FIR sought over peacock’s death at GMPL premises
Meanwhile, another wildlife-related issue surfaced during the DISHA meeting when Bajpe Town Panchayat president Lokesh Poojary accused the Forest Department of failing to take action against Gail Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited after a peacock was found dead on the company’s premises.
Poojary alleged that employees of the company buried the peacock without informing the Forest Department.
Forest officials informed the meeting that they visited the site after receiving information about the incident. However, by the time the officials reached the premises, the company’s employees had already buried the bird.
The carcass was subsequently exhumed and sent for post-mortem examination. Officials said no conclusive findings could be reached because the carcass had reached an advanced stage of decomposition.
Taking serious note of the matter, Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV questioned the officials about why an FIR had not been registered against the company over the alleged violation of rules.
He directed the concerned officials to take immediate steps to register an FIR in connection with the incident.
The two issues discussed at the meeting — the recurring elephant menace and the handling of the peacock’s death — highlighted the need for stronger wildlife protection, prompt enforcement and greater coordination between government departments. While the district awaits approval for the proposed Gundya elephant camp and funds for pending compensation, farmers and residents in vulnerable areas are hoping that permanent measures will soon replace temporary responses to the recurring problem.