Govt To Implement Kudremukh Rehabilitation Project In Phases: Khandre
“Another 300 families have voluntarily applied for relocation and the rehabilitation project will be implemented in phases”: Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre
MANGALURU: Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Saturday said the government would make sincere efforts to relocate human habitations situated inside forest areas across the state, including the Kudremukh region.
Speaking after distributing cheques to five families from the Kudremukh forest area who had voluntarily applied for relocation, the minister said there were around 1,300 families residing inside the Kudremukh forest region, of which nearly 350 families had already been relocated after compensation was paid.
“Another 300 families have voluntarily applied for relocation and the rehabilitation project will be implemented in phases,” he said.
He stated that the move was part of the government’s larger efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict and conserve forest land. Of the Rs 2.38 sanctioned the Minister distributed Rs 2.09 crore. The programme was held during the Cashew Fair organised in Mangaluru.
The families which received compensation included residents from Kerekatte area, where two persons had died in elephant attacks a few months ago.
“Following the elephant attack incident, instructions had been issued to capture the rogue elephant. However, capturing elephants alone could not be a permanent solution to the recurring conflict. The government has therefore initiated measures to expand and conserve forest areas by relocating people living inside forests on a voluntary basis,” he said.
“To support families that lost members in wildlife attacks, the government has provided compensation of Rs 20 lakh,” he said.
He further stated that after the Kerekatte tragedy, the government decided to revive the long-pending relocation programme for settlements situated inside forest areas, subject to financial availability.
“I instructed officials to immediately identify families that had voluntarily applied to move out of forests and begin the relocation process. Today, cheques have been distributed to five families. In addition, Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the rehabilitation programme,” he said.
Khandre spoke about various measures taken by the department.
“After I became minister, a dedicated elephant task force was sanctioned for Dakshina Kannada district and 25 personnel have already been trained. Railway barricades are being installed and steps are being taken to ensure adequate food and water for wildlife inside forests. Recruitment of personnel is also under way and a command centre has been started,” he said.