ETF gets 13 vehicles to tackle human-elephant conflict

Hassan: As human-elephant conflict continues to affect parts of Hassan district, the Elephant Task Force (ETF), which plays a prominent role in mitigating man-elephant conflict, has received additional support to strengthen field operations.The ETF has obtained 13 new vehicles, including three SUVs and 10 bikes, for more effective operations in the areas prone to human-elephant conflict in the district, thanks to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which extended the assistance under its CSR initiatives. Forest minister Eshwar Khandre flagged off the vehicles in Bengaluru.Now the ETF has 16 four-wheelers and 10 bikes for routine patrol monitoring the movement of wild elephants.The vehicles are equipped with public address system (PAS) devices such as walkie-talkies and loudspeakers to improve coordination, enable patrolling along forest borders, and alert villagers in vulnerable areas.Officials said the support will help in quicker response and better monitoring of elephant movement.Now, monitoring the elephants and ensuring the safety of the villagers will be more effective. Moreover, the foresters can reach terrains and remote places without much difficulty using two-wheelers. The bikes were also fitted with PAS, and the messages can be passed with ease, said Hassan chief conservator of forests V Yedukondalu.ETF plays a dominant role in monitoring movement of wild elephants, coordinating between headquarters and state control room, driving the elephants into woods, said the CCF.The ETF that is operating in the district has a total of 140 daily wage staff members and 15 permanent workers. The unit is headed by a DCF-grade officer, and it comprises assistant conservator of forests and range forest officer. However, the posts of DCF and RFO are vacant.With the ETF coming into existence, workload on territorial forest personnel and officers has drastically come down, and monitoring elephants has been easy.The department imparts regular training for the ETF staff and also ensures their safety. Now, the ETF is equipped with sufficient manpower as well as vehicles, the officers said and expressed hope that the conflict will minimise.