BENGALURU: About 150 families of eight villages bounded by forests in Hettur hobli of Sakleshpur taluk are ready to part with 3,150 acres of their agricultural land and move out of their ancestral homes permanently if proper compensation is paid.For the past 10 years, they have been in the direct path of raiding elephants and their lives and livelihood have come to a standstill.
Despite many representations to the Central and State governments, the relocation/rehabilitation project has not taken off --- either to acquire their lands or provide them adequate compensation.
Devraj Atthihally, pesident, Hassan Wildlife Society who owns about 2.5 acres of farm land here, says that every two-three days about 25-30 elephants descend on the villages raiding crops and destroying whatever is in their pathway.
He adds, “Various hydel projects in Kemphole, Gundiya and other places have diverted the animals to this region. From Bisle forests, the animals take this route and move to Kaginanere and further to Kenchina Kumbri forests. We see 2-3 groups with each group comprising 8-10 elephants raiding our fields where we grow cardamom, paddy, banana, jackfruit, arecanut and toddy. In fact, they come to eat leaves and suck the juices from the apical buds of toddy. Most farmers are in a fix due to regular raids.”
Although 60-70 families possess guns, farmers have never fired on the raiding animals as they fear wildlife rules while their utter devotion to the elephant god stops them, says one farmer from Mavinaooru. This region being a foggy and hilly terrain with very high rainfall, local people say neither can the elephants be sighted and tranquillised nor relocated without seriously harming the lives of the animals.
Although Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allocated `20 crore in the 2016-17 Budget for their relocation, the project still did not take off.
The state government then wrote to the Centre for release of `200 crore under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds.Speaking to Express, Chief Wildlife Warden C Jayaram said, “The Centre has take a call on this while we have once again asked the State Government to send a reminder on this issue affecting hundreds of farmers. In fact, a survey has already been carried out by the district authorities for implementing the relocation project.”
Affected villages
Mavinaooru, Mankanahallli, Yatahalli, Kaginanere, Boranamana, Balleyalla, Battekumbri and Yadekumbri
Elephant Corridor
From Mysore Elephant Reserve to Bhadra forests, the long elephant corridor passes through this region. This area covered with evergreen dense forests receives 200-300 inches of rainfall. Adjoining Western Ghats, this hilly terrain is not just the home of elephants but also gaur, tiger, panther, barking deer, mouse deer, wild dogs, long big earth worms, etc.