Mangaluru: The state govt has established an Elephant Task Force (ETF) for the Mangaluru division of the Forest Department to address wild elephant menace in Dakshina Kannada villages.In an order, Geetha M Patil, undersecretary to department of forest, ecology and environment, said the ETF will have 28 personnel, including a deputy range forest officer, two forest guards and 25 outsourced staff. The unit will function under the deputy conservator of forests (DCF), Mangaluru division, with Sullia as its base.The ETF will patrol elephant-affected areas and respond to human settlements, agricultural fields and coffee estates to track elephant movement and drive the animals back into the forest. A control room will operate from the base, while members will be equipped with walkie-talkies, guns, crackers and other gear. The department has also sanctioned three jeeps and one Canter vehicle for the team.In her March 2 order, the undersecretary directed officials to take necessary steps to make the ETF functional with immediate effect.
