Madikeri: BJP activists on Friday protested in front of the forest department office and blocked the National Highway, accusing the foresters and the elected representatives of failing to control rising wildlife-human conflict in Kodagu.Protesters marched to the forest building, raised slogans against the govt and forest officials, and demanded that chief conservator of forests (Kodagu circle) Sonal Vrishni meet them, even as the police barricaded the entrance.Protesters forcefully entered the premises but were pushed back by a strong posse of cops.As the CCF was not in her office, the agitators blocked the national highway despite the police warning them that blocking the highway was illegal. The highway blockade caused traffic congestion on the Madikeri-Kushalnagar road.The road blockade lasted from about 11am to 2pm. When Vrishni finally arrived from Siddapur, protesters also tried to stop her vehicle on the highway, but the police escorted her to the forest office safely.The BJP activists demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for families of those killed in wildlife attacks, scientific measures to prevent wildlife intrusion, FIRs against forest officials in case of deaths caused by wildlife, and withdrawal of C&D land acquisition efforts.Former MLA MP Appachu Ranjan accused the govt of issuing anti-people orders instead of solving the crisis. He said that elephant attacks, crop destruction, and fear among farmers made normal life difficult. He also criticised land-and tree-related forest rules.Former MLA KG Bopaiah said no scientific measures were taken, despite a Rs 120 crore budget announcement for wildlife control in 2023-24. He alleged that no new trenches, rail barricades, or solar fences were installed, and that even compensation to victims’ families was mishandled.Kodagu District BJP Committee president Napanda Ravi Kalappa warned of a Kodagu bandh or border bandh if the issue was not resolved. He demanded a joint meeting involving the chief minister, forest minister, MLAs, organisations, and opposition parties, and called for immediate capture of problematic elephants.The CCF informed the agitators that operations were under way to capture the elephant that killed people within a week. She said a meeting would be held within 10 days.
