‘Stop safaris if man-animal conflict cannot be curbed,’ Eshwar Khandre tells officials
Bengaluru: Just days after cutting down the number of safaris at Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves due to rising man-animal conflicts, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre recently warned that safaris could be suspended entirely if the situation does not improve.
Speaking at a coordination meeting with forest, revenue, and police officials at the Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat auditorium, the minister stressed that staff shortages cannot be used as an excuse for the rise in man-animal conflicts in districts hosting the reserve forests. “If there aren’t enough personnel to manage conflict-prone areas, then staff deployed for safari duties must be reassigned,” The Indian Express quoted Khandre as saying.
Highlighting the rise in elephant and tiger populations in the state, the minister noted that expanding forest areas was not feasible. He emphasised that ensuring adequate food sources for wildlife within existing habitats should be the priority.
Commenting on a recent tiger mauling in Saragur, Mysuru district, which claimed a man’s life, Khandre criticised the decision to send the body to Mysuru for a post-mortem instead of conducting it locally. He urged officials to handle such cases with sensitivity and efficiency, ensuring families receive the deceased’s body without unnecessary delay.
“No one should lose their life due to human-wildlife conflict. If such a tragedy occurs, the district administration, police, forest, and health departments must act responsibly and remain present until the funeral to maintain order,” he said.
To address the rising incidents of man-animal conflict, an action plan was announced at the meeting. The plan includes identifying conflict-prone areas and documenting the nature of the issues, deploying staff according to conflict severity, including drawing personnel from nearby ranges if necessary, increasing patrolling, equipping vehicles with GPS, and maintaining patrol registers in border villages, the report added.
The initiative also aims to strengthen community involvement. Officials will conduct regular visits to conflict-affected villages and designate youth and elders as ‘Forest Friends’ to assist in patrolling and wildlife operations. Measures include ensuring 24×7 availability of vehicles and staff in villages near wildlife corridors, as well as organising awareness programs and mock drills for villagers, youth, and children on responding to wildlife encounters.
Furthermore, coordination committees will be established at the district and taluk levels to ensure inter-departmental cooperation, with regular meetings to monitor progress and implement corrective measures.
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India can play 'greater role' for peace in West Asia, says Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi
New Delhi (PTI): India can play a "greater role" for peace in West Asia, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi Thursday said.
Addressing a press conference here, he said there is no military solution to anything related to Iran.
He also said Iran is ready to help pass all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, adding the situation in Strait of Hormuz is very complicated now.
Araghchi, who is in New Delhi to attend a BRICS conclave, said there can't be any solution other than a negotiated settlement on the West Asia crisis.
"We will welcome any constructive role by India," he said.
On negotiations with the US, he said these are "suffering from trust".
"Iran has every reason not to trust US while Americans have every reason to trust us," he said.
According to Araghchi, mediation by Pakistan has not failed yet.
He also asserted Iran has never wanted nuclear weapons.
