Karnataka Budget: CM proposes human-animal conflict mitigation programme for next five years

Taking note of recent incidents of human-animal conflict in the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his budget, has proposed the Karnataka Man-Animal Conflict Mitigation Programme with the total outlay of ₹1,500 crore for the next five years. The CM’s statement has gained significance in the light of recent deaths by elephant attacks in parts of Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, in his budget, stated that the government spent ₹1,044 crore over the last three years to mitigate the conflict. The money was spent towards compensation for crop damage, loss of livestock, loss of human life, creation of an elephant task force and leopard task force, installation of a railway barricade, trenching, solar fencing and other protection works. From the current year, the CM has proposed to spend another ₹1,500 to mitigate the conflict over the next five years. He has reserved ₹269 crore for the first year.

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In February, two people died in elephant attacks within a week in Chikkamagaluru taluk, prompting protests from local people. The residents demanded a permanent solution to the problem. Similar is the situation in parts of Sakaleshpur, Alur and Belur in Hassan district. Several people have died in the conflict over the years. At present, the government gives a compensation of ₹20 lakh to the families of the deceased. There is a demand for an increase in the compensation.

The Forest Department has constituted elephant task forces in the Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts to keep track of elephant herds and alert the local people. However, due to the shortage of the staff, task forces have not been able to track the elephants’ movement effectively.

Particularly in Chikkamagaluru district, there are hardly any elephants with radio collars to track the movement of herds. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre during his visit to Chikkamagaluru, on February 28, stated that the soft release centre would be set up for the rehabilitation of trouble-causing wild elephants. The department was preparing a project report to set up the centre.

Apart from elephants, there have been instances of leopards, sloth bears and Indian gaurs attacking human beings. The proposed mitigation programme is expected to include the soft release centre, installation of railway barricades and other measures to avoid the conflicts.

Increasing green cover

In a bid to increase green cover, improve air quality, protect wildlife and raise tourist footfalls in the state, Mr. Siddaramaiah in his budget announced a slew of measures.

With regard to afforestation activities the Chief Minister said, “In accordance with National Forest Policy, priority will be given to districts having less than 10% forest cover including Kalyana Karnataka districts in the State and afforestation activities will be carried out in 75,000 hectares. For this, a total of ₹150 crore will be allocated, including ₹50 crore from Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB).”

He also announced the setting of 15 new continuous ambient air quality monitoring centres to further strengthen air quality monitoring in the State.

The CM said that the forest department will be strengthened by filling up 2,000 posts in various cadres in the financial year 2026-27. In honour of environmental activist Salumarada Thimmakka who passed away last year a memorial will be built near Hulikal-Kudur.