CM Siddaramaiah: Steps should be taken to prevent human-wildlife conflicts
BENGALURU:
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that steps should be taken to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, adding that funding to build barricades to prevent animals from coming out of forest areas will be looked into. The CM directed the officials of the Forest Department to take appropriate action in this regard.
Speaking at the Chief Minister’s Medal Presentation Ceremony organised by the Karnataka Forest Department at Vidhana Soudha on Friday, CM Siddaramaiah said, “Afforestation should be done by planting more saplings. The expansion of forest area will be of great benefit to the state. Though it is a matter of happiness to see an increase in the number of tigers and elephants in the forests, the wild animals are entering human habitats and this is posing a problem to the forest department as well as the people”.
“Karnataka state is at the forefront in forest and wildlife conservation. It is the responsibility of the government to encourage 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 per cent is forest area. This forest area must be expanded by at least 33 per cent. Climate change can only be avoided by expanding the forest area”, he added.
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ಅವರು ಇಂದು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ವಿಧಾನಸೌಧದ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ವೆಟ್ ಹಾಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿರುವ “ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ಪದಕ ಪ್ರದಾನ ಸಮಾರಂಭ"ದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡು, ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ನೀಡಿ ಗೌರವಿಸಿದರು.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) September 29, 2023
ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಚಿವ @eshwar_khandre, ಸಚಿವ @PriyankKharge ಹಾಗೂ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು… pic.twitter.com/hzkmSbs0sq
CM Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka is facing many problems due to scarcity of rain this year. “Situations like the Cauvery water issue, drought and shortage in food production arise. This situation affects the state’s GDP and per capita income. This time 50 per cent crop is damaged in 40 lakh hectares.
He said that such a drought situation occurs every four to four years. “If the forest area increases, it is possible to prevent such extreme weather conditions,” CM said.
The CM also said there should not be a practice of awarding medals of 2-3 years together and there is no need to wait two or three years after the selection of the awardees. The CM advised the state Forest minister to award the Chief Minister’s Medal every year, a statement said. (ANI)
About the Author
