Karnataka Forest Departments Wildlife wing has two major functions. The main function is protection and management of 5 National Parks and 30 Sanctuaries (including 5 Tiger Reserves), and 15 Conservation Reserves and 1 Community Reserve. Further the wildlife wing performs protection and conservation of all wildlife listed in the schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 in the State (including wild animals occupying non-forest areas).
The Management of National Parks and Sanctuaries is done mainly under the Centrally Sponsored and Central Plan Schemes including State Plan Schemes. The activities undertaken under the various Schemes are as follows;
1. Habitat improvement of National Parks and Sanctuaries by taking up creation ofwater holes and fodder development, besides taking up fire protection and vaccination.
2. Protection through Anti Poaching camps and patrolling.
3. Eco-development activities, to reduce cattle / human presence in the protected areas by providing alternative resources such as LPG.
4. Reduction of man-animal conflict by taking up barriers such as Elephant proof Trenches, Rail barricades, Solar powered fences, erecting dry rubble stone walls and creating corridors across areas of Wildlife habitats.
5. Payment of Ex-Gratia for death of human, injuries to humans, loss of crops, cattle and property due to wild animals.
6. Education, Training and Research activities.
7. Wild animal population estimations as especislly Tigers and Elephants.
(Source: This is an excerpt taken from the annual report of Karnataka forests, 2017-18. You can read the article at https://bit.ly/2P0jZjM, page 38)
