MADIKERI: Farmers seeking compensation for loss of crop or physical injuries owing to elephant attacks in Kodagu are a worried lot. Three months have gone by in the Madikeri forest division and six months in the Virajpet division, but the Government does not seem to be in a hurry to provide compensation.

According to information gathered by The Hindu on Thursday, over 600 cases are pending in the Madikeri division alone, involving over Rs. 10 lakh. Most of the cases relate to crop loss complaints lodged by the farmers. The Madikeri division comprises Madikeri and Somwarpet taluks.

The situation is no different in Virajpet division. Compensation has not been paid in this division, involving Rs. 7 lakh, concerning over 100 cases since April. Most of grievances relate to loss of coffee crop.

The State Government had disbursed Rs. 70 lakh for compensation in the State. The two divisions of Kodagu have received a small amount with Virajpet getting Rs. 3.5 lakh. The amount was used for pending death compensation. The officials from Kodagu had sought Rs. 16 lakh to be released to the department at a meeting in Bangalore, but the efforts have been futile. Elephants have moved to Periyapatna and surrounding areas in Mysore, Hunsu and other areas where crops such as ragi and maize are grown, sources said. They would probably return to Kodagu once the paddy crop ripened. Though the amount as compensation is meagre it would at least provide some solace to farmers.

Delays in granting compensation could provoke farmers into harming the pachyderms, sources said. In certain areas direct electric lines were connected to solar fencing and elephants were electrocuted.

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