Mysore/Mysuru: Pressing for the fulfilment of various demands, activists of Federation of Karnataka State Farmers Association staged a protest in front of Aranya Bhavan, Ashokapuram in the city yesterday.

Kurbur Shanthakumar, President of the Federation, led the protest, during which the agitators demanded the Forest Department to find a permanent solution to address the menace of wild animals in forest fringes, spanning Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and various parts of the State and provide a compensation of Rs. 50 lakh to the family members of those persons killed in wild animals attack.

Addressing the protesters, Shanthakumar said, of late there has been an increase in man-animal conflict in Mysuru and surrounding districts, where the innocent farmers are being killed. The negligence of forest personnel is the main reason for the recent tiger attacks. Besides, there are instances of people injured in attacks involving leopard, elephant and wild boar to name a few.

 Ban resorts, safaris

To check the recurrence of man-animal conflict, the illegally constructed resorts and organising of safaris in the name of recreation should be banned. Such activities in the wild disturb the animals, which stray out of fear and land at dwellings.

The next of kin of tiger attack fatalities should be given Government jobs and the farmers should be assured of safety, Shanthakumar demanded.

Conservator of Forests (CF), Mysuru Circle, S.S. Ravishankar, who received the memorandum from the protesters, explained about the action taken in the aftermath of tiger attacks at Sargur.

Compensation has been provided to the bereaved family members of two tiger attack victims while the injured Mahadevegowda is responding to treatment at a Hospital in Mysuru, whose medical expenditures are being borne by the Government.  On the other hand, precautionary measures have been taken to avoid repeat of the incident, he added.