Madikeri: The clash between human beings and elephants is only intensifying, but the forest department is struggling to cope up with the pressure as it is facing acute shortage of frontline staff. With about 40 per cent of vacancies, performing to its full ability has become a challenge for the forest department in the district.
A retired district forest officer  who served here told that while the population of elephants has increased by many folds, the department is still clinging on to the five decade old sanctioned strength, which is causing a lot of problem. Revision of manpower strength of the department is the need of the hour and filling the sanctioned post is equally important, he says.

As per the forest department data, in 2013-14, as many as eight lives were lost due to rogue elephant attack. The death toll remained the same in 2014-15, while the number shot up to 13 in 2015-16. The department issued compensation of Rs 11.20 lakh, Rs 1.62 cr and Rs 1.28 cr respectively over the last three years for crop loss.

The total strength of the department in the district is 511, out of which only 299 posts have been filled. Out of the sanctioned 103 posts, only 66 Deputy Range Forest Officers are working and out of 192 sanctioned Forest Guards only 118 are working. As against 32 sanctioned posts for forest watchers, only four are working. Out of 12 Mahouts, only three posts have been filled.

Kodagu District Chief Conservator of Forest Manoj Kumar said that most of the clash between humans and wild are reported in Maldare, Siddhapura and Thithimathi regions, where human settlements are found inside reserve forest area. He said that two rogue elephants were caught in Siddhapura area four months ago and have been sent to Dubare Elephant camp. Meanwhile, he said that manpower crunch is hampering all the combat plans.