HECs have also become a frequent occurrence in the Hassan-Aldur-Sakleshpur-Shiradi stretch and there are reports of HECs in Ramanagaram.
Surrounded by thick forests, reserves and national parks, Chamarajanagar has had its share of human-elephant conflicts (HECs) during the elephant migration periods. In the fringe areas of Chamarajanagar’s 11 taluks, HECs have become frequent and too dangerous for both elephants and human beings.
“These man-animal conflicts in my constituency have led to a loss of lives for both human beings and elephants. Many a time, crops have been destroyed due to elephants straying into fields. The gravity of the situation came to light on November 11, 2011, when a wild elephant from a nearby forest in Kollegal forest area trampled a man,” said V Dhurvanarayan, MP, Chamarajanagar.
“Farmers residing adjacent to forest areas such as HD Kote, Gundlepet, Nanjangud, Chamarajanagar and Kollegal taluks are in a state of panic as wild elephants strayed into fields and destroyed standing crops.
At least 1115.40 hectares were destroyed in HD Kote and Nanjangul range and 3,925 HEC cases were registered for 2011-12,” he added.
A total of 671 cases have been registered till date, and 41 elephants died due to various reasons, including habitat loss and coming into contact with electric fencing.
Dhuravanaryan, who led a team of forest officials in the problematic areas in Chamarajangar, has found that farmers erect electric fencing with 11 kv line, which is fatal for elephants.
“My report to Parliament recommended digging trenches to a distance of 8 km and erect regulated electric fences with 12 volts to a distance of 66 km across the Bandipur National Park, Nagarahole National Park and Bandipur Reserve Forest,” Dhurvanarayan said.
The model project would cost `2 crore, but this was not a constraint considering the loss of lives, damage to crops, wastage of cultivation time, said a senior forest official.
Conservationists second his opinion. “It is alright to have a fence with regulated power or trenching between the fringe areas of the forests and the villages. The villagers should be advised not to connect the direct electricity lines to fences. The department should check the fences for the right voltage. The trenches were harmless when it comes to elephants but care should be taken to ensure that the trenches do not trap elephants or injure them,” said Sanjay Gubbi, wildlife scientist. HECs have also become a frequent occurrence in the Hassan-Aldur-Sakleshpur-Shiradi stretch and there are reports of HECs in Ramanagaram, which is a new area that has joined the list of HEC problem in the state.
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