The BJP on Saturday criticized the Chhattisgarh government for feeding paddy to elephants in a bid to reduce conflicts with humans, saying such feeding of wild animals can alter their behaviour.
State BJP President Vishnudeo Sai told the media that the state government was confused over the proposed 450 sq km Lemru Elephant Reserve project.
Releasing the study by a team of BJP leaders, Sai said villagers are reluctant to be rehabilitated in the project area. Even ruling party MLAs are opposing the idea.
Sai accused the government of not releasing immediately the compensation to families of those killed by elephants and for damage caused to huts and crops.
In Mainpat and Dharamjaigarh areas, in the last five months, nine people have lost lives and 162 houses were razed by elephants. The government has not released compensation in the case of 40 houses and 33 hectares of damaged fields.
He said providing paddy to the elephants is not a viable option as the animals are regularly on the move.
Additionally, there are chances that elephants will then raze the standing paddy crops.
The BJP team accepted that humans have encroached land in forest and land rights have been given to them. He said a long-term solution is needed to minimize the conflicts and end the deaths of humans and elephants.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the Lemru Elephant Reserve in 2019.