MAN – BEAST CONFLICT; 15 CASUALTIES;

Madikeri February 28, 2008

In a continued man – beast conflict in the district, seven persons and eight elephants have been killed since fourteen months, according to DFO B.B.Mallesh.

Addressing a seminar on ‘man -elephant conflict’ in Kodagu, organized by Rotary Misty Hills, Madikeri, Mallesh said that the conflict is on the raise since eighteen months. He disclosed that for the past ten years, 5991 incidents of elephant rampage incidents were reported, 31 persons were killed and 24 persons were injured.

Mallesh said that about 108 villages are experiencing elephant conflict in Madikeri range. Shanivarsanthe alone has about thirty elephants causing panic and four among them are known for attack.

He appealed to people to protect themselves from the attack and also value the life of elephants. He opined that the department is facing problem in finding land to dig elephant trenches. Lack of food and water inside the forest is also a reason for the entry of elephants into villages.

Misty Hills president Vishwanath presided over. Secretary shankar Sharma read the report. Anil H.T.Compered the programme.

RAPIST GETS TEN YEAR;

The fast track court at Virajpet has slapped a ten year rigorous imprisonment to a person for raping a minor ten years back.

Anand alias Koosa of Poojekal near Kutta had raped a minor girl on 23.3.2005 and Kutta police had registered a case.

Ten year RI and rupees five thousand fine was slapped against the accused by the judge after cross examining about 21 witnesses.

TP PRESIDENT, THREE OTHERS INJURED

President and two other members of the Somwarpet Taluk Panchayath and a driver were injured in an accident yesterday.

The accident occurred as the jeep they were traveling in lost control as its axil broke. President Gita Basappa and two other members escaped with minor injuries, while the driver is severely injured.

He is shifted to hospital.

CHAMBER URGES TO IMPROVE TOURISM;

The district chamber of commerce has urged the government to improve tourism in Somwarpet Taluk.

Addressing a press conference at Somwarpet, general secretary of the district Chamber of Commerce, G.Chidvilas regretted that the government has not done enough to improve tourism in Somwarpet taluk.

He stated that there is lot of scope and tourism spots at Somwarpet to be improved and the concerned departments should act with speed. He pointed out at Honnammana Kere, malambi Jain Basadi, Childrens cave at Biligeri and quite a few places could be turned into effective tourist spots and the Chamber has written to tourism commissioner about it, he said.

President Girish Ganapathy spoke on the occasion and said that the district level sports would be conducted at Somwarpet next year for the members of the CoC. He said that the chamber has five thousand in the district and twenty sub committees spread all over. The committees would be increased in the coming days, he said.

Somwarpet CoC president Vijeta, B.S.Sadanand and others were present.