Expert panel investigates elephant behavior changes in Karnataka

An expert committee is investigating changes in elephant behavior in response to rising human-elephant conflicts in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu. The committee is led by Raman Sukumar from the Indian Institute of Science. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre noted that many elephants have left forests for coffee plantations due to drought and urbanization. He mentioned that 60 to 70 elephants have been spotted in Hassan district since the pandemic. Khandre also addressed a request for increased compensation for conflict-related damages, stating that ₹31 crore was distributed in 2023-2024 for such incidents across the state.