TWENTY TWO ELEPHANTS TO BE HELD;

Madikeri August 12, 2006

The Zilla Panchayath has decided to capture twenty two elephants creating havoc in the district.

In twenty point progress review meeting held yesterday under the presidentship of Ashok, the meeting passed a resolution in this regard to apprise the government about the gravity of the problem.

The forest officials appealed the ZP to recommend herds of elephants, twenty two in number. Officials stated that the capture is inevitable as loss of human life, property and crops is on the increase. They stated that rupees one lakh compensation is given to the family of one Jayamma killed by the tusker recently.

Around 450 incidents of elephant attack including crop and property loss was registered in a year, according to officials. So far rupees 6.5 lakh compensation was also released.

It was suggested that the elephants captured could be released at Nagarahole National park or to Dubare forests.

Meanwhile the meeting took up the issue of misuse of funds at Horticulture department at Harangi. It was alleged that rupees twenty lakh was misused by officials in the department under different heads. Members urged immediate action against the concerned.

President Ashok went hammer and tongs against the horticulture officials and agriculture officials who said that they cannot clear sand from rivers entering the agriculture lands belonging to farmers. Irrigation department was also targeted in this regard.

The meeting took up many issues and directed the officials to increase efficiency.

BUFFALOES DIE OF ELECTROCUTION;

Three buffaloes died on the spot and few more were injured as they came in contact with a live wire.

According to police herds of cows and buffaloes stepped over a live wire at Bychana Halli near Kushalnagar while grazing.

The villagers gathered in the area and staged a protest against the electricity department. They demanded compensation. They also said that a person who was near the herd of ill fated buffaloes had a miraculous escape from death.

Police and electricity department officials visited the spot.

RAIN ON THE INCREASE;

The rainfall is once again on the increase at Kodagu.

The Harangi reservoir has hit its maximum for the second time with water brimming at 2859 feet.

Confluence of Kaveri River at Bhagamandala has raised again obstructing traffic and movement of people.

Kodagu however has recorded 8.94 inches less rainfall compared to last year.

Madikeri has recorded 106.65 inches till yesterday.Somwarpet 68.21 inches and Virajpet 69.96 inches.