5 task forces to prevent man-animal conflicts

Chennai: In the face of increasing human animal conflict, the state government has sanctioned the creation of five special task forces to prevent future incidents.

Making an announcement in the Assembly, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday said that it was imperative to set up a task force as human-animal conflicts have been witnessed continuously now. The task force will comprise men well-trained in using modern gadgets to not only act rapidly but also manage difficult situations.

The national tiger conservation authority has already consented to forming such special task forces to avert conflict between humans and carnivores near tiger reserves, the CM said, informing the House that the task force would be set up Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Ooty, Gudalur and Tirunelveli at a cost of '8.64 crore in the current fiscal.

The Chief Minister also announced the setting up of 25 “continuous air quality monitoring stations” across Tamil Nadu. The stations will be set up near urban and industrial areas so that the quality of air there will be monitored so as to take appropriate remedial measures to improve the air quality there, Jayalalithaa added.

The state government also sanctioned Rs 12.2 crore to 260 boilers for SC/ST hostels and schools.