Mysuru: Karnataka forest department has begun work on a 9.6 km railway barricade in Saragur taluk on the edge of Bandipur tiger reserve to reduce recurring human-elephant conflict in the region. According to forest minister Eshwara B Khandre, 1.6km of the barricade is already being installed in Nugu wildlife zone, while the tender process is underway for the remaining 8km. Of the total planned for the current year, 2.2km of railway barricades are specifically targeted as part of ongoing mitigation efforts. The minister told the Assembly, in response to a question from HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu, that the 2025-26 action plan also includes maintenance of 21.8km of solar-powered fencing and 10km of elephant-proof trenches in Saragur taluk.Saragur taluk in Mysuru district includes parts of Bandipur wildlife sanctuary and the Moleyuru wildlife zone, both of which have seen repeated elephant movement into human-use areas. To address this, the department has already constructed 37.2km of railway barricades in the area. In addition, 59.2km of elephant-proof trenches and 26.3km of solar-powered fencing have been built and are being maintained.The govt has also strengthened field-level response systems. An elephant task force with 32 contract workers has been formed, with eight members deployed in the Nugu and Moleyuru wildlife zones. Five teams are engaged in driving elephants back into forest areas when they stray towards settlements or farmland.Along the forest fringes, 11 ‘forest friend’ teams made up of local residents and forest department personnel have been stationed for patrol duty. The department is also using thermal drones to monitor wildlife movement, especially in vulnerable border areas.Officials said elephants involved in fatal attacks on humans are captured and relocated as part of the broader conflict-management strategy.Speaking to TOI, HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu said human-wildlife conflict remains a serious issue in his constituency, which covers around 12 forest ranges of Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves. He said that in the past eight years, 10 people have died in wildlife attacks in the constituency — eight in tiger attacks, including three this fiscal year, and two in elephant attacks.Chikkamadu said the nearly 10km rail barricade would help reduce elephant intrusions to some extent. However, he argued that stronger border protection is needed, including 12-foot-high mesh fencing, to prevent tigers from attacking locals.
