1.Conference on human-elephant conflict management
Context:
- Conference on human-elephant conflict management on August 12
- On the occasion of World Elephant Day (12th august), the Karnataka Forest Department will organize an International Conference on Human-Elephant Conflict Management-2024 on August 12 in
Primary goal:
- Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the primary goal is to foster knowledge-sharing and cross-learning opportunities, advocating evidence-based and inclusive approaches to cultivate coexistence between humans and elephants.
- He said that over 17 representatives from 11 countries, including S., Germany, Japan, U.K., and Switzerland, and 660 representatives from various States across India will participate.
- On an average, 30 people are killed in elephant attacks every year in the State. In 2024, 25 people have lost their lives He added that between 2009 and 2023, 1,381 elephants have died unnaturally in the country. “Around 287 elephants have died in the State in the last three years. Of these, 30 have died due to electrocution, while six elephants have been poached
Elephants in India:
- India has thelargest number of wild Asian Elephants, estimated at 29,964 according to the 2017 census by Project Elephant.
- It is about 60% of the species’ global population.
- Karnatakahas the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and
Mike Sites in India:
- Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve (Assam)
- Deomali Elephant Reserve ( Arunachal Pradesh )
- Dihing Patkai Elephant Reserve ( Assam )
- Garo Hills Elephant Reserve ( Meghalaya )
- Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve ( West Bengal )
- Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve ( Odisha )
- Shivalik Elephant Reserve (Uttarakhand )
- Mysore Elephant Reserve ( Karnataka )
- Nilgiri Elephant Reserve ( Tamil Nadu)
- Wayanad Elephant Reserve ( Kerala)
2.Centre Fresh Notification on Kasturirangan Report
Context:
- Recently, the Union government reissued the draft notification classifying parts of the Western Ghats in six States, including Karnataka, as ecologically sensitive areas (ESAS).
- State Cabinet to discuss Centre’s fresh draft notification on Kasturirangan panel report
According to new report:
- The Centre now issued another notification regarding the Kasturirangan report. An area of over 20,668 sq km of the State has been declared as ESA.
- A total of 1,576 villages in the districts of Chamaraja nagar, Kodagu, Mysuru, Hassan, Shivamogga, ChikKamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Belagavi have been identified
- State government has already taken the decision to reject the report.
- With regard to the fresh notification issued by the Centre,
- The decision will be taken after consultation with the Chief Minister and the Cabinet and after taking the opinion of the leaders of all parties.
- 36 acres of encroached forestland cleared in Koppa
Kasturi Rangan Committee: (2010)
- The central government had earlier formed a committee under the leadership of senior scientist Madhav Gadgil to emphasize the conservation of the unique biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
- In 2011, the committee had recommended that 1,29,037 sq km of Ghat be declared an eco-sensitive area.
- It recommended that some restrictions should be placed on development in 64% of the Ghat area.
- When there was huge opposition to this in the political sphere, the central government formed a Dr. K. Kasturi Rangan committee on April 15, 2013 to review the Godgil report.
- This committee had issued a report on November 13 of the same year, identifying 37 percent forest area of Ghat, i.e. 59,940 sq. km as ecologically sensitive area.
