Sanket Poovaiah, State Wildlife Board member has expressed confidence that wild elephant poaching is expected to be controlled in the next two years if wild elephants are rehabilitated.
Speaking at a press conference in Madikeri, Sanket Poovaiah stated that it may take 2 to 3 years to rehabilitate wild elephants in the Bhadra Soft Area List as announced in the current year’s budget.
He also stated that MLA A.S. Ponnanna has brought to the attention of the Chief Minister regarding tragic incident in which a person was killed by a wild elephant in Devapura of Ponnampet taluk in South Kodagu. He stated that MLA has urged CM to grant permission to capture the wild elephant.
There is human-wildlife conflict in seven or eight districts of the state. The highest loss of life in the state due to wild elephants is occurring in Kodagu district. The problem is being caused by wild elephants camped in plantations which are more than that of the elephants that resides in the forest and he urged cooperation of all parties and organisations which is necessary to solve the problem.
According to the census, there are 2,000 wild elephants and 563 tigers in Nagarhole. Permission has been received from the concerned department to capture two tigers in the populated area. However, Sanket Poovaiah expressed dissatisfaction that the forest department is not implementing it.
On the occasion he urged with the forest department officers and staff to work with greater responsibility.
