Chamarajanagar MP R. Dhruvana-rayan has urged the Union Forest and Environment Ministry to release more funds for wildlife conservation in Karnataka.

Speaking during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha yesterday, Dhruvanarayan said that 97 people have lost their lives and 197 others have sustained injuries in man-animal conflicts across Karnataka over the last 3 years. Also, 5 tigers and a leopard have been killed in the conflict. As such, it is important to allocate more funds for digging up trenches, installing solar fence and to take up such other measures, he said.

Expressing disappointment over decreasing allocation of wildlife conservation funds to the State over the years, the MP wanted the Union Government to take note of Karnataka’s rich wildlife and appropriately sanction funds.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, replying on behalf of the Forest and Environment Minister, said that  the Govt. will look into the matter.