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Kalpetta: Collector promises steps to end conflict

The collector met the farmers' leaders at the venue of the agitation on Wednesday

Kalpetta: District collector S. Suhas has promised to take steps to end the human-animal conflict in the Vadakkanad village in the district. The farmers have been staging an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Wayanad Wildlife Warden's office at Sulthan Bathery in protest against the authorities' inaction towards the wild animal attacks in the human habitats.

The collector met the farmers' leaders at the venue of the agitation on Wednesday. Later, he also held discussions with the leaders of Vadakkanad Grama Samraskhana Samithy and various organizations and political parties at the forest guest house.

Three farmers have been on a hunger strike in front of the forest office for the last three days. Mr Suhas said he had submitted a report to the state government regarding the human-animal conflict in the village and sought urgent solutions. A meeting of officials, farmers' leaders and people's representatives will be held in Thiruvananthapuram in the presence of the forest minister on March 27.

Mr Suhas said in a press statement that the revenue department will also conduct a study in the region to prepare a master plan to stop the wildlife raids.
A special meeting also would be convened soon to facilitate speedy disbursal of compensation for farmers.

The trenches of the borders between forest and farmlands would be repaired to ensure that the elephants remain in the jungle. Wherever necessary, the depth of the trenches would be increased. "Instructions have been already given to the forest department to protect farm lands from elephant herds," he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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