The villages of Puttur, Sullia, Kadaba, and Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada are under siege from wild elephants, leading to a significant increase in crop damage and threats to human life. In response to the growing crisis, Kishore Kumar Puttur, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) for Dakshina Kannada, has submitted a plea to the Forest Minister and raised several demands in the Legislative Council.

Puttur's demands, representing the concerns of local farmers and residents, highlight the urgent need for a more effective strategy to manage the human-elephant conflict.

Key Demands Put Before the Government:

Establish a District-Level Elephant Camp: Currently, the Forest Department must rely on elephants and trained personnel from distant camps like Dubare, Mattigodu, or Sakrebailu. This causes a delay of at least two days during critical capture operations. Puttur has proposed that a local elephant camp would enable swift action and could also be developed as a tourism site with a modest budget. Deadly Dog Attacks Continue in Bengaluru: Young Boy Narrowly Escapes.!

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Form an Elephant Task Force (ETF): A specialized team with trained personnel and the necessary equipment is crucial for deterring or capturing elephants that enter human settlements. The formation of such a task force would be key to a rapid and effective response.

Install Radio Collars: To track elephant movements and provide early warnings, Puttur has requested the installation of radio collars. This would allow authorities to monitor the animals' location and take preventive measures before they enter populated areas.

100% Subsidy for Solar Fencing: The MLC has demanded that the current 50% subsidy for solar fencing be increased to 100%. This would encourage more residents on the forest fringes to install protective barriers on their farmlands. Additionally, he called for a ban on the cultivation of rattan in the forests, which he believes contributes to habitat destruction and forces elephants and other wild animals, such as wild boars and gaurs, to venture into human areas in search of food.

Puttur also urged the government to simplify the process for obtaining and renewing gun licenses for self-defense, a longstanding demand from local residents and farmers. His plea underscores the need for a comprehensive and urgent response to protect both human life and property in the region.