Cold conditions continue unabated in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: Biting cold persisted in most parts of Himachal Pradesh even as the state witnessed a dry and sunny day and day temperatures rose marginally.
The high-altitude tribal areas groaned under biting cold wave conditions with minimum temperatures ranging between minus 13 degrees Celsius and minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti, and Kinnaur registered a low of minus of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius and minus 3.4 degrees Celsius respectively.
Bhuntar recorded a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Sundernagar minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, Palampur 0.5 degrees Celsius, Solan 1 degree Celsius and Una 1.8 degrees Celsius.
The mercury rose marginally to 2.4 degrees Celsius in Manali, while Dharamsala, Nahan and Shimla shivered at 4.8 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius degree and 5.5 degrees Celsius respectively.
Day temperatures rose by two to three degrees and Una recorded the highest maximum temperature of 25.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Sundernagar 22.5 degrees Celsius, Solan and Palampur 22.2 degrees Celsius each and Bhuntar 21 25.8 degrees Celsius.
The local MeT office has predicted continuation of the dry spell with marginal rise in mercury till January 15.
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Karnataka approves railway barricades in Madikeri, Nagarhole to curb human-elephant conflict
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said a 7-km railway barricade has been approved for the Madikeri division and 20 km for the Nagarhole division in 2025–26 to curb human-elephant conflict in the regions.
Responding to a proposal raised by BJP MLC Suja Kushalappa during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council, he assured that work on the proposed railway barricades would begin soon.
Citing the death of a 17-year-old girl in an elephant attack on February 28 and that of a tribal woman on March 9 in the state, the minister said these deaths caused by elephant attacks were "extremely painful".
"Human life is very precious and cannot be valued in monetary terms. The Forest Department is taking all measures to prevent human-wildlife conflict."
The minister further said steps such as maintenance of elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fencing were being undertaken, while two elephant task forces were currently in operation.
Orders have also been issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden to capture two rogue elephants.
In both cases, Rs 5 lakh compensation has already been disbursed to the families of the deceased, and the remaining Rs 15 lakh each will be provided within a week, he added.
Khandre said the government was making sincere efforts to find a permanent solution to the human–elephant conflict.
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