Mysuru Forests: New Rail Barrier Against Elephant Intrusions

To address ongoing human-elephant conflict, the Karnataka forest department has commenced construction of a 9.6 km railway barricade in Saragur taluk, bordering the Bandipur tiger reserve. As of April 1, 2026, approximately 1.6 km of this barrier is being installed in the Nugu wildlife zone, with tenders in progress for the remaining 8 km. These efforts are part of a broader mitigation strategy that includes maintaining 21.8 km of solar-powered fencing and 10 km of elephant-proof trenches planned for the 2025-26 action plan.

Existing infrastructure in Saragur taluk already comprises 37.2 km of railway barricades, 59.2 km of elephant-proof trenches, and 26.3 km of solar-powered fencing. The department has also bolstered its field-level response by forming an elephant task force comprising 32 contract workers, with eight members stationed in key wildlife zones. Five teams are actively engaged in guiding straying elephants back into forest areas.

Furthermore, 11 'forest friend' teams, a collaboration between local residents and forest personnel, are conducting patrol duties along forest fringes. Thermal drones are being utilized for real-time monitoring of wildlife, particularly in vulnerable border areas. Elephants involved in fatal human attacks are captured and relocated as part of the conflict management program. Despite these measures, human-wildlife conflict remains a significant concern in constituencies bordering tiger reserves.