Focus on urban development

BANGALORE: The state government has allocated Rs 10 crore to construct elephant-proof trenches and solar fences to check the entry of wild elephants into human habitats. Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who touched upon this problem in the budget, said effective controlling and finding a solution to this problem have become a challenge to the government. To prevent wild elephants from entering into agricultural land and human habitats, it is necessary to construct trenches and solar fences. On the rehabilitation of families in forest areas, Gowda said, “to protect families staying in national parks, sanctuaries and other forest areas from wildlife attack, we should relocate them. For implementing this programme, a grant of Rs 10 crore will be provided from the pooled fund of the Social Welfare Department. The work will be taken up in this regard in Hassan and Sakleshpur this year.”The CM has allocated Rs 180 crore for various plantation activities. It will raise 600 lakh plantation in 70,000 hectares and 175 lakh seedlings to distribute it among farmers and public. Rs 20 crore is being provided to construct quarters for front-line staff and another Rs 20 crore is being provided to repair and maintenance work of existing quarters.