Efforts on to drive away elephant | Mangaluru News
Mangaluru: Following the death of a 60-year-old man, who was reportedly attacked by an elephant at Southadka Gundi on Thursday, forest department has intensified drive to track and chase away the elephant. The minister of forest, ecology and environment, Eshwar Khandre, announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Balakrishna Shetty.“It is a matter of great sorrow that a 60-year-old man died due to an elephant attack near Sautadka in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. In this time of grief, the govt stands with his family,” said the minister. Khandre also instructed officials to immediately pay a compensation amount to the close relatives of the deceased and to take urgent measures to drive the elephant back to the forest.Uppinangady RFO Raghavendra said elephant trackers have been brought from Dubare elephant camp to resume the drive to track two elephants. “With help from the Dubare team, we will launch drives in the deep forest and its periphery. As per the SOP, a holiday should be declared for schools and colleges in the area. Mescom will have to shut down the power supply to the areas when the drive is on. The department has prepared a roadmap on the routes where the drives need to be carried out,” he explained.In the past 3-4 days, there were elephant movements in Kokkada, Periyashanthi, Kapinbagilu, and other places, the officer added.
