Beltangady
In an effort to address the persistent challenge of wild elephants invading farmlands and residential areas, the Forest Department has initiated the construction of a protective elephant trench. The trench, stretching over a 1.5-kilometer area and costing Rs 5.40 lakh, aims to safeguard Baare, a region neighboring the Dharmasthala-Mundaje reserve forest, which has suffered extensive crop damage due to these wild animals. Previous attempts, including the deployment of expert elephant tamers from Nagarahole and the use of chilly smoke, proved ineffective in deterring the elephants. Consequently, the Forest Department has opted to construct a trench as a final measure to prevent the elephants from encroaching into residential areas and farms. Notably, the Forest Department provides funding for such elephant trench projects as needed. However, the maintenance of previously constructed trenches in Mundaje, Charmadi, and Chibidre has been lacking, causing these barriers to become clogged with mud during the monsoon season and allowing elephants easy access to residential areas.
