File photo of a trapped and caged leopard from a conflict zone in Mysuru district recently.
The state government has announced the formation of a leopard task force to deal with the increasing human-leopard conflict, especially in the South Karnataka region.
The GO was issued on Tuesday in view of the increase in human deaths due to leopard attacks and killing of domestic animals in Mysuru, Nanjangud, HD Kote, Sargur, T. Narasipura, Mandya, Pandavapura, Nagamangala and surrounding areas. Four people had died due to leopard attacks since October leading to the formation of the task force.
The task force will be headed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, Mysore Circle, and will consist of 58 personnel and its overall functioning will be monitored by the Conservator of Forests, Mysore Circle.
The task force has been divided into four units, each of which will regularly patrol conflict-prone areas and take precautionary measures in such places apart from sugarcane cultivation areas. The task force will have a control room at Arayana Bhavan in Mysuru and will function on a 24×7 basis. The control room number will be widely circulated soon.
Five vehicles equipped with searchlights, public address systems and sirens will be purchased for use by the task force. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Forest Force will issue necessary instructions by appointing key personnel.