Karnataka to build another 300 kms of railway barricades to prevent man-elephant conflict
Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday said the government plans to construct an additional 300 kms of railway barricades at a cost of Rs 500 crore in the forest areas of the state, to address the human-elephant conflict.
Replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Harish Poonja during the Question Hour, the Minister indicated that it may take 2 years to complete the work.
"Along with protecting wildlife, preventing human-wildlife conflict is important. There are elephants outside the forests, in coffee estates. There is no difference between forests and coffee estates for elephants. About 214 elephants are outside forests in Kodagu, 60-70 in Hassan. This is leading to loss of lives," Khandre said.
He noted that the government has already installed 3,807 km of tentacle fencing and 2,711 km of elephant trench.
Apart from this, the Minister said, "Before the Congress government came to power, only 300 km of railway barricades was constructed, now 428 km has been completed. Rs 150 crore additional allocation has been made for 103 km, which has been approved." "There is a demand for another 300 kms for places like Mangaluru region. Wherever railway barricading is necessary, I have asked officials to prepare a list. It will take 2 years for barricading and it will cost Rs 500 crore. The Chief Minister has assured it (amount)," he added.
Khandre attributed the rising man-animal conflict to forest degradation and rapid urbanisation. He also said the implementation of Wildlife Protection Act has led to an increase in animal population.
Citing the 2022 census, the Minister highlighted that Karnataka has the highest number of elephants in the country at 6,395, a number that is likely even higher now. The state also has the second-highest tiger population, with 563.
"There are thousands of leopards," he said and emphasised that developmental works like national highways, electricity connections contribute to the problem by causing fragmentation of elephant corridors.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
