Steps should be taken to stop human-wildlife conflict: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said steps should be taken to prevent human-wildlife conflict and funding will be focused on building barricades to prevent animals from coming out of forest areas.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed Forest Department officials to take appropriate action in this regard.

Afforestation should be done by planting more trees, CM Siddaramaiah said at the Chief Minister's Medal presentation ceremony organized by the Karnataka Forest Department at Vidhana Soudha on Friday. The state will benefit greatly from the expansion of forest area. Although the increase in the number of tigers and elephants in the forests is a matter of joy, the wild animals are entering human habitations and this is creating problems for the forest department as well as the people.

He said, Karnataka state is at the forefront of forest and wildlife conservation. It is the responsibility of the government to encourage those officers who perform their duties well. More emphasis should be given to forest development. Out of the total land area of the state, only 20 percent is forest area. The extent of this forest area should be at least 33 percent. Climate change can be avoided only by expanding forest areas.

CM Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka is facing many problems this year due to a lack of rain.

CM Siddaramaiah said that situations like the Cauvery water issue, drought, and reduction in food production arise. This situation affects the GDP and per capita income of the state. This time 50 percent of the crops in 40 lakh hectares have been damaged.

He said that such a drought situation occurs every four years. CM said, that if the forest area increases then it is possible to prevent such adverse weather conditions.

The CM also said that there should not be a practice of giving medals for 2-3 years together and there is no need to wait for two or three years after the selection of award winners.

The statement said that the Chief Minister advised the State Forest Minister to give the Chief Minister Medal every year.