MADIKERI: While different groups in Kodagu were engrossed in planting saplings to mark the celebration of Environmnet Day, the Siddapura farmers’ association along with other cooperative societies and locals of Siddapura were seen protesting in front of Aranya Bhavan demanding relief from wild elephant attacks.
The estates of Siddapura have been under surge from wild elephants since many years and the attacks have multiplied by two folds since the past couple of months.
The adjoining villages of Guhya and Kakkattukadu have been regularly visited by the giant beings who march into the estate during nights. It has been a routine surge and the villagers, who are threatened by the wild elephant attacks, are forced to stay put in their houses before sunset.
The villagers are appalled by the hasty work carried by the Forest Department in installing and maintaining solar fences. “The elephants have broken the solar fences, crossed the trenches and entered our villages,” unanimously complained the locals of Engilageri village.
The continuous protests have led to some relief as the Forest Department has been granted permission to capture two elephants in the vicinity. “The most notorious members of the herd, one male and one female, will be captured soon and we have received permission in this regard,” confirmed Manoj Kumar, Chief Wildlife Conservator.However, the locals are demanding more relief than this and are demanding capturing of 15 wild elephants in the area.