JUMBO ESCAPES FROM CUSTODY

A tusker captured by forest department recently has reportedly escaped from the clutches of forest department!

Forest department in a joint operation had captured the rogue elephant terrorizing people and damaging plantations in Kodagu – Hassan border on this second. The officials stated that the elephant was being transported to Bhadra reserve forest area in Chikmagalore.

Reliable sources informed here that the rogue elephant, which was loaded to the lorry and tied under tranquilised condition, woke up well before the experts thought it would and turtled down along with the lorry near Bhadra range! Freeing itself from the shackles, the elephant reportedly ran into forest.

The inmates of the lorry escaped with minor injuries.

LIGHTNING CLAIMS A GIRL;

Thunderbolt added with lightning yesterday claimed a thirteen year old girl and injured three others at Kumaralli.

Pallavi, 13 died at hospital while three other children are hospitalized as lightning struck them in a forest area. The children had been to forest to fetch firewood. They stood under a tree for cover from the thunderstorm. However the tree was saved as the children were hit. Few others who were in the group escaped unhurt.

The three children undergoing treatment at the hospital are out of danger, the doctors said.

CLOSURE OF NISARGADHAMA FEARED:

The most visited tourist spot of Kodagu at the entrance of the district, Nisargadhama would be closed unless government interferes says a source.

The Cauvery Nisargadhama is situated in a 65 acres island, surrounded by Cauvery river near Kushalnagar.

Commissioned during 1989, the Dhama houses 9 cottages, Machans, Paragolas, Deer park and Children Park. The revenue collected in the form of entrance fee, elephant raid and boating is on the increase each year. While rupees 17.87 lakh was collected during 2001 –02, the collection rose to rupees 27.67 lakh during 2004 – 05.

While the place is giving so much of revenue, the power was disconnected at least three times, this year. It owes over forty thousand to the MESCOM. The staff is being paid once in five or six months! The officials have to beg their big bosses for funds to repair and maintain the place and cottages.

The revenue raised from here is going to the department, directly and not a pie is allocated for the maintenance or salary. The bosses of the department in Bangalore are turning a blind eye towards the importance of the place that has etched a name to them in the state. The boat, which is in service at Nisargadhama reveals the negligent and irresponsible attitude, the higher ups have towards the place and the safety of tourists. The boat was bought thirteen years ago and is being forced to serve. The staff regularly uses M Seal and wax to cover leakage in the boat! “ God alone should save the tourists, if the boat drowns some day” a tourist told this correspondent, after looking at the cracks and blocks. There are instances of staff going on strike and closing the entrance, as their salary was not regularly being paid.

Fed up of complaints from the staff and tourists, the DFO Mr.Range Gowda had on February 15th recommended to the Principal Conservator of Forests, Bangalore to close Nisargadhama. Yet, the higher officials took no notice of it and did anything to release funds.

It is high time that the government and elected representatives intervene to protect the prestigious tourist spot of Karnataka before it pulls shutters down due to official apathy.