To minimise man-animal conflict, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday asked officials concerned to increase the staff strength of elephant task forces and also to fit radio collars on wild elephants that repeatedly stray into human settlements.
The Minister issued instructions at a meeting of top-ranking forest officials in Bengaluru to take stock of the man-animal conflict situation. He expressed concern over five persons dying due to elephant attacks since August 13.
He stressed upon the need for preventive measures to ensure human safety and also prevent death of wild animals due to shock from electric fences or strangulation when they get struck in fences. The minister asked the officials to increase the staff strength of elephant task forces in areas like Chamarajanagar and Kodagu district which are facing serious problems.
