Growers to march towards Aranya Bhavana on Feb 23

Urging the forest department to control wild elephant menace, farmers and plantation workers committee will march towards Aranya Bhavana on February 23 and will submit a memorandum to the forest department officials, said farmer Cheranda Nanda Subbaiah.

Speaking during a meeting of agriculturists and labour union leaders at Bal Bhavan on Friday, he said although many lives have been lost due to the menace in the district, the forest department has not initiated any serious steps towards controlling of the same. "The problem persists from the past 30 years. The government needs to arrive at a logical conclusion by chairing meetings with high-level officials. At the same time, the farmers have to intensify their fights," Subbaiah said.

JD(S) district president Sanket Poovaiah said that the government has not been responding to the problems of agriculturists. "36 people have died due to wild elephant attacks during the last four years," he added.

Horata Samiti convener Pravin Bopaiah said that the communications with the department regarding the elephant menace, have ended up in vain.

Coffee Bele Sangha former President M M Timmaiah felt for a need to implement effective measures towards translocation of wild elephants.

Farmer leader Manu Somaiah, leaders Durgaprasad and Gram Panchayat Employees Association president P Bharat were present.