Mysore
A separate elephant corridor on the anvil
If everything goes as per plans the conflict between man and elephant will decrease soon as the state government has formed a separate committee to execute the process of planting bamboo saplings in the forest areas aimed at constructing an elephant corridor.
The state government for the first time in the country has constituted a separate committee headed by former forest officer A C Lakshman for the purpose recently.
Devaraj Urs Bamboo Rejuvenation Committee will monitor all planting of sapling process. It would also keep in mind the various tribes in such remote areas, especially the Kadukuruba, and the Meda tribes who are known to be highly depended on bamboo for their livelihood.
Elaborating the initiatives, Lakshman said that the former CM Devaraj Urs had shown special concern to protect forests. The current government too is extending the same support by not just planting bamboo saplings in Sollepura State Forest and in Hunsur taluk but is also taking measures to tide over the effects of climate change. The committee comprising experts will train farmers and tribes on bamboo cultivation mainly the two varieties – Burma bamboo and Mesh bamboo. These are the two varieties that are commonly used for commercial purposes and also is the favourite food of elephants.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has allotted Rs 75 lakh for the expansion of bamboo cultivation in the forest areas to the committee and we aim to transform the bamboo forest as one of the tourist destination in the state where beekeeping training is also being provided to the interested” he said.
