Mangaluru: Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya has urged forest department and the district administration to take permanent measures to prevent elephants from straying into agricultural fields and plantations in Dakshina Kannada.Murulya was speaking at the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting chaired by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta Saturday.She urged the forest department to install solar fencing along the periphery of forest areas to prevent elephants from entering agricultural land.Officials said a proposal to establish an elephant camp at Gundya had been submitted to the govt and approval was awaited.An Elephant Task Force comprising 25 personnel is currently operational in Dakshina Kannada, and efforts are being made to drive the elephants back into the forest.Officials said around 80 elephants were involved in crop damage across the district.Around 10 elephants are currently present in the Aanegundi Reserve Forest area alone.Farmers are being provided a 50% subsidy for installing solar fencing to prevent elephant incursions.During 2026-27, compensation of Rs 3.3 lakh was released to 19 people for crop losses caused by elephants. However, compensation amounting to Rs 73 lakh is yet to be released to 381 affected farmers.Officials said the amount would be disbursed once the govt released the funds.Deputy commissioner Darshan HV said he would discuss the issue with the deputy conservator of forests and chief conservator of forests and explore permanent measures to address the problem.Meanwhile, Bajpe town panchayat president Lokesh Poojary accused the forest department of failing to take action against Gail Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (GMPL) after a peacock was found dead on the company premises and was allegedly buried by its employees without informing the department.Forest officials said they had visited the spot after receiving information about the incident. However, company employees had already buried the peacock. The carcass was later exhumed and subjected to a post-mortem examination. Officials said no conclusive finding could be made as the carcass was in an advanced stage of decomposition.Taking note of the issue, the deputy commissioner questioned officials on why an FIR had not been registered against the company for the alleged violation of rules and directed them to initiate steps to file an FIR immediately.
