Mrudul Godbole
19-11-2011, 11:36 PM
Karnataka: Elephant migration problem
Published: Friday, Nov 18, 2011, 9:55 IST
After the high court, on Wednesday, directed the forest department to consult experts about the elephant-human conflict, wildlife officials have started begun gathering information about the behaviour of the Asian elephant, especially their habitat and methods to lead them into the next available space of natural habitat. However, experts said elephants cannot be captured and translocated elsewhere since we risk of confrontation with humans.
“There are no more patches of elephant habitat left in this region (Alur) due to expansion of human habitation and agricultural and horticultural pastures. These 25-30 elephants have been trapped on a tract that’s alien to them, all they can do now was to wander in search of typical habitat areas and continue to confront humans,” said Swaminath MH, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife).
District forest officer Ambady Madhav, who has been hearing the complaints of villagers, estate-owners and farmers, said: “The elephant herd that was creating problems belong to the original stock of elephants of this region, including villages such as Ramaiahna Koplu, Makke, Kattepura Doddabetta, Malegalalu and Kadiabetta. The herd comprises 30-35 elephants. They have been on the move for the past several years and they go up to Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district and Yelsuru, Aigooru and Doddakalluru in Hassan district.”
The ministry of forests and environment has permitted the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) of Karnataka (wildlife) to capture 25 elephants in Hassan. The communique, dated November 13, has imposed seven conditions to the forest department, including various safety aspects like chemical safety, handler safety and animal safety. The elephants should also be sent to a safe haven after being captured and radio collared for easy monitoring, it said.
“They cannot be captured and translocated to nearby forests. They could make their way back to their original tract even if they are released 100km away. It is also difficult to let them free in natural habitats of other herds. If the resident herd does not accept them, they are likely to move away again into human habitats, or even worse, they could get into struggle for survival with the resident herd,” said Prof R Sukumar from the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc.
“If translocation is the only way, it should be conducted in a phased manner. The acceptance level of animals among the resident stock should be tested before translocation. Individual animals from the same family should be let free after being radio-collared and they must be monitored on a daily basis. We have to learn from this experience about translocation,” he added.
Captivity is not an answer either, as elephant camps in Karnataka are flush with animals. So are camps in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There are only two zoological parks in Karnataka — Mysore and Mangalore taluks. The next best bet is Madhya Pradesh, where elephants are in demand for wildlife tourism. But before elephants go there, they may have to be trained, said officials of Dubare Elephant Reserve, Kodagu.
The survey report prepared by Ajai Desai and MK Appaiah, who are steering committee members of Project Elephant, states that: “During 1986-2006, people were attacked by elephants on 276 occasions; 33 people have been killed and 243 have been injured in this area. Over Rs25 lakh has been paid as compensation. Of these 33 deaths, 10 deaths have occurred in the last three years. Attacks on humans have been increasing since 1994-95.”
The attacks have created a fear psychosis that is hampering people’s ability to work and live normal lives. Most outdoor activities cease by 6pm in the severely affected areas.
Published: Friday, Nov 18, 2011, 9:55 IST
After the high court, on Wednesday, directed the forest department to consult experts about the elephant-human conflict, wildlife officials have started begun gathering information about the behaviour of the Asian elephant, especially their habitat and methods to lead them into the next available space of natural habitat. However, experts said elephants cannot be captured and translocated elsewhere since we risk of confrontation with humans.
“There are no more patches of elephant habitat left in this region (Alur) due to expansion of human habitation and agricultural and horticultural pastures. These 25-30 elephants have been trapped on a tract that’s alien to them, all they can do now was to wander in search of typical habitat areas and continue to confront humans,” said Swaminath MH, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife).
District forest officer Ambady Madhav, who has been hearing the complaints of villagers, estate-owners and farmers, said: “The elephant herd that was creating problems belong to the original stock of elephants of this region, including villages such as Ramaiahna Koplu, Makke, Kattepura Doddabetta, Malegalalu and Kadiabetta. The herd comprises 30-35 elephants. They have been on the move for the past several years and they go up to Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district and Yelsuru, Aigooru and Doddakalluru in Hassan district.”
The ministry of forests and environment has permitted the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) of Karnataka (wildlife) to capture 25 elephants in Hassan. The communique, dated November 13, has imposed seven conditions to the forest department, including various safety aspects like chemical safety, handler safety and animal safety. The elephants should also be sent to a safe haven after being captured and radio collared for easy monitoring, it said.
“They cannot be captured and translocated to nearby forests. They could make their way back to their original tract even if they are released 100km away. It is also difficult to let them free in natural habitats of other herds. If the resident herd does not accept them, they are likely to move away again into human habitats, or even worse, they could get into struggle for survival with the resident herd,” said Prof R Sukumar from the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc.
“If translocation is the only way, it should be conducted in a phased manner. The acceptance level of animals among the resident stock should be tested before translocation. Individual animals from the same family should be let free after being radio-collared and they must be monitored on a daily basis. We have to learn from this experience about translocation,” he added.
Captivity is not an answer either, as elephant camps in Karnataka are flush with animals. So are camps in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There are only two zoological parks in Karnataka — Mysore and Mangalore taluks. The next best bet is Madhya Pradesh, where elephants are in demand for wildlife tourism. But before elephants go there, they may have to be trained, said officials of Dubare Elephant Reserve, Kodagu.
The survey report prepared by Ajai Desai and MK Appaiah, who are steering committee members of Project Elephant, states that: “During 1986-2006, people were attacked by elephants on 276 occasions; 33 people have been killed and 243 have been injured in this area. Over Rs25 lakh has been paid as compensation. Of these 33 deaths, 10 deaths have occurred in the last three years. Attacks on humans have been increasing since 1994-95.”
The attacks have created a fear psychosis that is hampering people’s ability to work and live normal lives. Most outdoor activities cease by 6pm in the severely affected areas.