Bengaluru, 8 April

Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday said that rising human-wildlife conflict has created a need to consider sterilising specific species, and that the issue should be publicly debated.

He said no list has been prepared, and discussions will be held with officials and stakeholders.

Noting that a related issue is pending before the Supreme Court, the Minister said there are plans to submit a proposal after due deliberation.

Khandre said the government is seriously considering the voluntary relocation of forest dwellers who wish to move out of the forest. He has asked officials to prepare a list of those willing to relocate.

Expressing grief over the death of a coffee grower in Kodagu district due to a wild elephant attack on Wednesday, the Minister said the government and the department are making every effort to prevent human-elephant conflict.

"The government had planned to build a sanctuary to address the problem of elephants. There are some difficulties in obtaining permission from the central government. Once this is resolved, action will be taken to establish the sanctuary," he added.