Worried over the unnatural migration of wild elephants in the northern region of Goa, forest minister of Goa met with Maharashtra CM at his residence on Wednesday and sought the Maharashtra government’s assistance in driving out the animals from Goa.
MINISTER FOR Forest Felipe Neri Rodrigues called on Maharashtra chief minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh at his residence on Wednesday (July 2), in connection with the problems faced by the residents of northern region of Goa due to unnatural migration of wild elephants from Karnataka through the state of Maharashtra.
As a result of such unnatural migration of wild elephants, huge crop loss has been faced by the villagers of northern parts of Goa. It has also resulted in death of forest personnel and the entire village is in a state of panic.
Felipe Neri Rodrigues
The minister who was accompanied by MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, discussed several issues with the chief minister of Maharashtra. Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat also met the Maharashtra chief minister earlier and appraised him of the seriousness of the issue and as a consequence a meeting with the forest minister of Goa was arranged.
The points discussed at the meeting included assistance of Maharashtra government in driving out the wild elephants from northern region of Goa. The meeting also discussed the point that during the course of driving of the wild elephants from Goa to Karnataka through Maharashtra, it was noticed that the people in Sawantwadi region were putting deliberate efforts to push back the wild elephants into the territory of Goa, thereby making efforts of the Goa Forest Department unsuccessful.
It was also impressed upon the government of Maharashtra to request the people of Maharashtra state to cooperate in the venture of Goa Forest Department to drive the wild elephants to Karnataka through Maharashtra state.
It was also stressed at the meeting that the Maharashtra Forest Department may evolve a joint strategy with Goa Forest Department to drive back elephants to Karnataka. Alternatively, both the state governments may seek the help from Central government or international agencies to tranquilise and transport the elephants to their natural habitat in Karnataka.
Courtesy: merinews
