Karnataka: A jumbo conflict zone

On World Wildlife Day, the state lost Forest Officer S Manikandan, who was Field Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, after a wild elephant attacked him when he had gone to the area to assess damage caused by a mild fire.

This was just the latest and most high-profile of deaths in a state that is reeling with violent confrontations with elephants. In the last three years, at least 158 people have been killed by elephants in the state. Across India, from 16 states, 1,557 have died since 2014 and in 2017-18 (up to November), 201 people died, of which nine were from Karnataka.

Dinesh Holla, convener of Sahyadri Sanchaya, told BM, “I have been observing the Western Ghat region for several years. Due to an increase in forest encroachment, the elephant corridors are shrinking. The other reason for shrinking elephant corridors are the mafias that are into mining, hydel power plants and resorts. When the elephant does not have sufficient place to move around in its corridor, they come to the villages. Villagers have their own techniques to chase elephants away.

This is when the elephant is helpless, it has nowhere to go and when hungry and angry attacks humans.” Holla said the state government has failed to implement the Forest Act. “Acres of forest land have been encroached upon. The government only talks about compensation for attacks,” he said.

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