Rail fence, EPTs must to prevent jumbos from straying

MP R Dhruvanarayan on Saturday, directed the Forest department officials to erect used rail track fence and dig Elephant Proof Trench (EPT) to prevent elephants from straying into human habitation. The MP also urged the Forest department officials to issue crop loss compensation on time to farmers.

Dhruvanarayan was chairing the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium here. He said, incidents of wild elephants entering human habitats is on the rise and the Forest officials must take immediate measures to prevent the menace by creating rail fence and EPTs at vantage places. The MP said, more number of elephant camps can help in preventing elephant menace.

He asked the officials to see if the compensation amount can be increased for crop loss. At present, Rs 10,000 per acre is being given for the loss.

The DCF said that the compensation for 230 crop loss cases in Hunsur and HD Kote taluks under Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, that were reported till March end, have been issued. The department has distributed Rs 25 lakh as compensation. In addition, 110 crop loss cases in Hunsur and HD Kote were reported by the end of May and a proposal to release the funds for compensation has been sent, he said. Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) K T Hanumanthappa promised to take necessary measures to check the animals from entering human habitats. At present, there are no programmes to erect solar fence or railway fence, he informed.

Taluk Panchayat Executive Officers (EOs) alleged that the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been a failure in rural areas. “Due to poor network and internet facility at Gram Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat offices, the works are delayed. People are made to wait for hours to get their work done. No BSNL official is responding to the complaints,” the TP officials alleged. MP Pratap Simha slammed the BSNL officials and said, the officials will push the BSNL into loss. “They will make the company to close down. The officials must work in a proper manner and resolve the issues immediately,” he said.

MLA Dr Yatheendra said, there is a severe network problem in villages under Varuna Assembly segment and it would be better to shift to private operators.

However, an official claimed that except for the cable fault, all problems will be addressed right away. Due to financial constraints, no new towers have been sanctioned, he said.

Simha alleged that the officials are violating protocol. “Although Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras are constructed under the Union government’s funds, the MLA is invited to inaugurate the centres. MPs should inaugurate all Union government projects,” he said.

MP Dhruvanarayan urged the EOs to take an initiative in implementing programmes under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MNREGA). The district can reach the target only if the EOs take up the initiative. The performance of the district is poor and it needs to be improved, he said.

ZP President Nayeema Sultana, MLA C Anil and ZP CEO K Jyothi were present.