Spread over 2,321.119 sq km — including 475.018 sq km as core and the remaining as buffer areas, the State government has officially notified the Dandeli Elephant Reserve. The Gazette notification dated June 4, 2015, follows the Government of India approval for establishing the Dandeli Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant.
Khanapur range of Belgaum division comes under this elephant reserve. Project Elephant was launched in 1992 as a Central-sponsored scheme to protect elephant habitats, including its corridors, and resolve human-elephant conflicts rampant in many States.
Good to know that Khanapur forest range of Belgaum division also comes under this 2nd Elephant Reserve of Karnataka.
Now the Forest Dept is armed to take good conservation measures to protect elephant habitats in general & in particular its corridors where the human-elephant conflicts happen.
Latest Elephant Census is pending & yet to be conducted by Forest Dept.
Thanks & regards,
NATURE SHEPHERDS