DHENKANAL: Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden SS Srivastav suggested certain measures to be undertaken in elephant depredation villages in the district to curb man-animal conflicts.
During his visit to Kapilash Sanctuary and Zoo on Sunday, Srivastav directed the forest officials to move inside forest and interact with people so that condition of wild animals and plight of people in man-elephant conflict zones can be ascertained. He asked local forest administration to put up sign boards on boundary wall of the sanctuary for public knowledge.
Kapilash Sanctuary spreads over 125.05 sq kms in the district. Dhenkanal Forest Division has submitted a proposal with an estimate cost of `45 crores to be spent in 10 years for development of the sanctuary. After this visit, PCCF will submit his report to Union Government on the proposal, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).
During his visit, PCCF also suggested putting up enclosures around shelter zones of wild animals in the zoo. State Government has released `20 lakhs for the purpose.
Besides, solar lights will be distributed to villages in elephant depredation areas, he added.