Madikeri: BJP MLC MP Suja Kushalappa raised the issue of the rise in wild elephant attacks in Kodagu district during the session.The legislator from Kodagu discussed the issue in the Upper House during zero hour on Tuesday and pointed to an incident in which a 16-year-old school student, Pujya, in Bettathur village of Kodagu district, was killed by a jumbo. He also pointed to another incident in which a tribal woman, Jaljakshi, died in a wild elephant attack in the Balegundi tribal colony of Valnur village.Two deaths occurred within a span of 10 days. Human-wildlife conflict in the district increased, he said, and demanded that the govt consider this seriously and take permanent action.Responding to the issue, forest minister Eshwar Khandre said that the department monitored the situation and instructed departmental officials to initiate action. Human-wildlife conflict is occurring due to several reasons, including the increase in the number of animals, he stated. To control elephant-human conflict, a 7km rail barrier was sanctioned for the Madikeri section, and a 20km rail barrier for the Nagarhole section in 2025-26, he said, and the work will start soon.On Feb 28, a 17-year-old girl living on the edge of the forest died in an elephant attack, while on March 9, a 55-year-old tribal woman living inside the forest died, he said. In both these cases, Rs 5 lakh compensation was already distributed to the close relatives of the deceased, and the remaining Rs 1 lakh each will be paid within a week.Elephant control trenches and solar electric fences are being maintained. Two elephant task forces are working. Now, the chief wildlife warden ordered the capture of two elephants, he said.
