Madikeri: Villagers voiced concerns at the gram sabha meeting of Nellihudikeri gram panchayat, alleging poor quality of work under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) drinking water project and urging authorities to devise a permanent solution to the growing wildlife threat.The gram sabha for the year 2025–26 was held at the panchayat hall under the chairmanship of gram panchayat president Dhanalakshmi.Responding to the complaints, Jal Jeevan Mission project engineer Veerendra assured villagers that the works in the area would be completed by March next year.Villagers also raised the issue of increasing human-animal conflict, accusing forest department officials of negligence and alleging inadequacy in compensation for crop losses caused by wildlife.Deputy range forest officer Sachin Nimbalkar refuted the allegations, stating that the department was providing appropriate compensation to affected farmers. He further assured that the issue of monkey infestation would be brought to the notice of higher authorities.Sidde Gowda, deputy director of the social welfare department, attended the meeting as the nodal officer.
