Two jumbos move into Bhadra reserve easing conflict

Chikkamagaluru: In a significant move, two elephants have moved into Bhadra Tiger Reserve core area, signalling ease of human-elephant conflict in Chikkamagaluru forest division. For the first time in four years, the elephants have moved deep inside the forest.These elephants went to the reserve on their own without being driven by the forest department, which has created hope among the foresters that the human-elephant conflict will ease.According to the forest department officials, remaining elephants venturing out of the forest would take these two elephants' path, and if all the elephants went inside the Bhadra reserve, then there would be less human-elephant conflict in Chikkamagaluru forest division, comprising Chikkamagaluru and Mudigere sub-divisions and consisting of five ranges, namely, Chikkamagaluru, Muthodi, Kadur, Mudigere and Aldur.Bhadra Tiger Reserve had carrying capacity up to 600 elephants, and as of now the forest accommodated nearly 350 elephants. However, the forest department officials said the region has two groups of elephants totalling nearly 80. While one group has 35, another has 45.However, these two elephants separated from one of the groups. And another group is moving in Belur taluk.The chances of other elephants taking the path of the two elephants is high, and it would be a great relief if all the elephants moved inside the Bhadra reserve, said Chikkamagaluru division deputy conservator of forests Ramesh Babu.According to the DCF, human-elephant conflict has drastically come down in the division, and no human deaths have been reported in the last two years. But 20 people have died since 2008, he added.Naveen, a coffee planter in Mudigere taluk, said, "The elephant problem has come down slightly and it has a long way to go. The forest department must take measures to drive them deep inside the forest rather than waiting for them to go on their own."He appreciated the department officials for the measures taken up to control the issue and also suggested being more proactive.