Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
I
n the wake of rise in man-elephant conflict in four districts,a meeting presided by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, resolved to constitute elephant task force in four districts to check the menace of wild elephants.
An order to this effect was issued soon after the meeting.
The elephant task force,headed by Deputy Conservator of Forests,will be set up in Hassan, Chikmagaluru,Mysore and Kodagu districts,where the menace is more.
The task force must swing into action with immediate effect and it must work under the instructions of the respective Chief Conservator of Forests of the circles concerned.
Salient features
1) The task force must patrol in the jumbo -infested areas, monitor its movements in human habitation, agriculture fields and coffee estates,and drive them back into forests under the direction of deputy conservator of forests
2) Must share information about the movement of wild elephants and creating awareness among the people not to move in the forest areas.
3) A control room must be set up in headquarters of every task force and share the contact number with the citizens.
4) The task force members must be provided with walkie-talkie, gun and crackers which are necessary to drive back the wild jumbos into forests.
5) Head of forest force must deploy Range Forest Officers, Assistant Conservator of Forests and forest guards to each district task force.
6) Three Bolero Jeeps must be provided to each district elephant task force to reach the jumbo infested areas immediately. Besides,Canter vehicles must be taken on rent and handover it to the task force
7) The help of police must be sought at the time of driving back the wild jumbos into forests.
