₹500 Crore Allocated for Barricading Railway Tracks in Forest Areas: Eshwar Khandre

Quick Summary:

• Karnataka’s forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced ₹500 crore allocation to lay barricades along railway tracks in forest areas over the next two years to address human-elephant conflict.
• As the Minister’s tenure began in 2023, 115.085 km of barricades have been laid, adding to the previously existing 312.918 km. Approval for laying barricades in an additional 193 km has also been granted.
• Other measures include solar-powered fencing, tentacle fencing, and maintenance of elephant trenches.
• Steps are being taken to prohibit cattle from other states grazing in Karnataka’s forests due to fodder shortages impacting wild animals.
• The Arjuna award was introduced in memory of famed Dasara elephant Arjuna and presented for excellence by mahouts and forest staff during operations involving wildlife management.
• Gunda (mahout) and nanjundaswamy (kavadi) were the first recipients of the award, which includes a ₹10,000 cash prize and certificate.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

the government’s focus on mitigating human-elephant conflict through infrastructure investment points toward better coexistence between humans and wildlife-a notable concern given elephants’ cultural importance in India and also their vulnerability due to habitat encroachment. Measures like prohibiting inter-state cattle grazing reflect robust attempts at safeguarding fodder availability for wild species. Initiatives like instituting awards such as the Arjuna memorial program underline efforts to imbue appreciation for conservation work while connecting local traditions with wildlife management priorities.

However, effective implementation will hinge on consistent funding distribution across these projects alongside strong monitoring systems ensuring long-term ecological balance amid growing human activities near sensitive zones. For Karnataka-a state deeply tied with environmental heritage-these efforts mark a step toward addressing larger-scale concerns about species preservation and sustainable ecosystems.

Read More: Published – August 04,2025