By Jeevan Chinnappa MADIKERI FEB. 23. The Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS) has come up with a proposal to adopt a long-term strategy to prevent the man-elephant conflict in Kodagu. However, the success of the proposed plan depends on its approval by the Government and cooperation from the Forest Department. A report prepared for the CWS by Col. C.P. Muthanna (Retd.), Secretary of the Environment and Health Foundation, in consultation with C.G. Kushalappa, Associate Professor, College of Forestry, Ponnampet, has suggested appointing an officer and three field officers to assist him to implement the plan. It has stressed the need to purchase a jeep for these personnel. The annual cost has been put at Rs. 9.26 lakh, including the salary of the officers, and diesel and maintenance cost of the vehicle. The CWS says that formulation of this kind of strategy can serve as a model for other regions benefiting the wildlife, and will help increase the green cover, besides protecting it. All revenue forest lands adjacent to the Western Ghats should be taken over by the Forest Department as they are prone to encroachment. It says that if the Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala, which is in a degraded state is developed, it could act as a corridor for the movement of elephants from Nagarahole to other forests in Kodagu coming under the Western Ghats. The proposal moots the idea of providing incentives to villagers living close to the forests for rearing improved breeds of cattle. Cooperative societies can be formed to market milk procured from them. The CWS says that the Government could provide loans and subsidies to farmers to buy cattle and tillers. Such a process will do away with the pressure on forests, including grazing and electrified fences, and avoid damages to elephant proof trenches. Improvement of habitat is another important suggestion made in the proposal. Making available sufficient food and water within the forests is one area where the CWS could play a vital role. The CWS has desilted some tanks in the Nagarahole National Park. The CWS says that it is imperative to phase out teak plantations in the forests. Local tree species can be grown in place of teak to conserve humus in the soil. Extensive planting of jackfruit saplings, including developing certain blocks as "food lots", has also been recommended. However, adequate steps should be taken to protect the saplings. Digging new tanks, desilting the existing ones, and constructing bunds and drains to bring water to the tanks have been included in the proposal. As far as managing elephant proof trenches and electrified fences are concerned, the success depends on their proper management. The layout and alignment must be planned after holding discussions with the local people. The CWS could ensure that in close working with the Forest Department, according to the proposal. The CWS says that it could make headway only if the Government releases funds sought by it or if it diverts certain grants coming from agencies such as WWF, WTI, etc. The proposal says that the study conducted by Cheryl Nath and R. Sukumar from September 1995 to July 1997 in Kodagu on man-elephant conflict will help plan future strategies. The study had stressed the need to capture and tame about 10 elephants in the Kattepura Reserve Forest in the northern parts of Somwarpet taluk in Madikeri Division as the fragmented forests were incapable of sustaining the pachyderms. The area could be utilised for relocating tribal families. It mooted the idea of declaring forest ranges in Kodagu coming under the Western Ghats as Western Ghats Sanctuary or Biosphere Reserve. The Government is yet to act on some proposals sent to it by the Forest Department here to check the elephant menace. There have been allegations of misuse of funds resulting in the poor quality of elephant proof trenches and solar fencing works in certain areas of the district. The role of some non-governmental organisations too has come under cloud for their rhetoric in the conservation efforts. It indeed would be a Herculean task for the CWS to impress upon the Government with its proposal. я