Mysore/Mysuru: Member of the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) Meriyanda Sanketh Poovaiah has called for collective efforts to tackle the ongoing wildlife-human conflict in Karnataka.

Addressing the media at Madikeri, Poovaiah stressed the importance of adopting scientific solutions to mitigate the rising incidents of such conflicts, particularly in the Kodagu district.

“Karnataka has emerged as one of the States with the highest rates of wildlife-human conflicts, with Kodagu’s Virajpet region being severely affected. Human injuries, crop damage and the displacement of farmers and workers are becoming all too common,” he noted.

He acknowledged the efforts of Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna, who brought the issue to the Government’s attention. Ponnanna has been proactive in addressing the problem, even accompanying the Forest Minister on visits to the affected areas to witness the severity firsthand.

In conjunction with World Elephant Day, MLA Ponnanna has shown a keen interest in resolving the elephant-human conflict scientifically, initiating efforts to remove technical barriers. The initiative has garnered the participation of Chief Ministers from five States and international experts, he said.

The State Government’s plan includes constructing trenches and solar fences along forest borders, installing additional railway track fences, compensating for crop damage, amending relevant laws and expediting application processes. Poovaiah emphasised that the goal is to find a permanent solution to the elephant-human conflict within the next three years.