GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 23

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.02.2011

Invasion by elephants at Chittoor district in Karnataka

23. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:

(a)    Whether Government is aware of the recent deaths of villagers in the Chittoor district of Karnataka due to elephant trampling;

(b)   If so, whether Government proposes to install solar- powered fences and trenches at vulnerable points to address this invasion by elephants into the region;

(c)    If so, by when this is likely to be implemented; and

(d)   If not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)    Yes, Chittoor district is in Andhra Pradesh and no death due to elephant trampling is reported in Andhra Pradesh recently

(b)   ,( c)& (d) The Ministry of Environment and Forests provides financial assistance to the State Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘ Project Elephant’ for various activities including installing electric/ solar fences and laying elephant proof trenches upon receipt of proposals from the concerned State Government. No such proposal has been received for the area in question from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh at present.