Eshwar B. Khandre, Karnataka’s Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment, has issued a grave warning: if the alarming rate of human-animal conflicts across the state doesn’t significantly decrease, all safari tours will be halted indefinitely.
During a crucial meeting in Chamarajanagar, attended by fellow ministers, key officials, and local community representatives, Minister Khandre addressed concerns regarding a reported shortage of personnel for deployment in high-conflict zones. He explicitly stated that, in such instances, staff currently assigned to safari areas must be reallocated to these critical regions to bolster efforts.
The Minister emphasized the urgent need for enhanced inter-departmental cooperation to proactively avert conflict scenarios. He instructed officials to implement programs aimed at boosting fodder availability within the natural habitats of wild animals. This strategic move, he explained, is crucial for encouraging both herbivores and carnivores to remain within forest boundaries, further stressing the importance of clearing invasive species like lantana.
A Comprehensive Eight-Point Action Plan
A detailed eight-point action plan was unveiled during the session. Key components include thoroughly identifying all human-wildlife conflict hotspots and documenting the unique challenges in each; strategically deploying personnel according to conflict severity, including reassigning staff from adjacent ranges; intensifying patrols with GPS-equipped vehicles; and increasing village-border patrols, meticulously recording activities in registers. Additionally, senior officials were mandated to conduct regular village visits and engage directly with local residents.
Furthermore, Minister Khandre strongly advocated for active community involvement, proposing that young individuals from villages bordering forests be recruited as ‘forest mitras’ (friends of the forest) to assist in patrolling and various operations. Other crucial initiatives discussed included ensuring 24/7 vehicle availability for wildlife rescue and relief, organizing mock drills to educate communities on responding to wildlife encounters, and establishing coordination committees to continuously assess and enhance conflict management strategies.