Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday said that Karnataka is convincing the Centre to utilise CAMPA funds to construct barricades around the forests in the State.
“Of the total 641-km length, barricading for 310 km has been completed. Each kilometre of barricade costs about ₹1.5 crore, and we wish to complete the whole length in the next three years,” he told reporters here after launching the new logo of the Forest Department. “The Centre is sceptical about using CAMPA funds to put up barricades. I have tried to convince the Centre about the need to have barricades to prevent elephants from coming out of forests and to protect human lives.”
In 2022-2023, a total of 51 deaths, including 29 involving elephants, were reported in the State, he added.
Mr. Khnadre said that efforts would be made to complete the joint survey of Forest and Revenue Department officials in six months. While there is shortage of surveyors, private surveyors would be roped in and he would discuss the issue with Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
He said that recruitment process to fill in 335 vacant posts in the department will be started after taking approval from the Finance Department. Since the Finance Department’s approval is not required for appointments in Kalyana Karnataka region, directions have to been issued to submit proposals.
