Bengaluru's water shortage may invite wild animals to your homes

 

After a herd of three elephants camped in Anekal in city outskirts and created a ruckus in 2014, wildlife experts and forest officials have asked the motorists and public to avoid coming nearby elephants at their corridors to take pictures.

 

"The software professionals, who are into photography have a craze to get best shots of wildlife and this passion has resulted in trampling a month ago on Anekal surrounding. These places are elephant corridors frequented by elephants and unsafe for humans,” said Sharath, Bengaluru Urban Wildlife Warden.

 

Avinash, a wildlife activist, said that the change in land use pattern in the last few years had escalated the man-animal conflict.

 

"The areas surrounding the forest in Bengaluru outskirts are occupied by farmers who grow various crops and block the elephant corridors. Now, the elephants know about the availability of food and water in these areas. Therefore, the elephants that usually pass by this stretch in search of food and water enter fields to feast. But, when they see humans, they get disturbed and in some occasion violent," he said.

 

The forest officials who are aware of elephant movement were successfully chasing the elephants back into the woods earlier. But now, due to the public gathering to watch and click photos, it becomes very difficult.

 

The spotting of elephants is common in places like Gundelpet and other areas of Mysuru which are close to Bandipur forest and Nagarahole National Park. The authorities here have warned the vehicles not to honk and also issued a warning to the public to maintain distance when they spot elephants as animals come out in search of food and return to the forest after eating.

 

"Any disturbance like a gathering of public, throwing stones and clicking photos by going near the elephant, will anger them. As the animal can sense the availability of water and food, it will move ahead. The public should stay out of their way and let the forest officials handle the situation," said a senior forest official from Bannerghatta National Park.    

 

Ravi, a 58- year-old resident of Indalwadi in Bengaluru outskirts says, the elephant move from Hosur forest enters Anekal forest area covers Bannerghatta forest and move ahead towards Magadi, Tumkur, KGF, Malur, Sarjapura and Kanakpura as these are elephant corridor.

 
"I have heard them making noise next to my home, they entered a banana plantation destroyed and went ahead. The people have occupied the forest land, and it is obvious that these animals moving through their usual path get disturbed due to the encroachment,” he said.

 

“We should try to adjust and live instead of irritating them by bursting crackers and firing or throwing stones at them. The local communities at Anekal have agreed to cooperate with forest officials whenever the elephants are spotted near villages," he said.