The Karnataka Forest Minister is facing backlash from the state Sugarcane Farmers’ Association for suggesting measures to reduce man-animal conflict in the state. The proposal includes sterilization or Animal Birth Control methods for wild animals, similar to initiatives in other states. President Bhagyaraj criticized the government’s consideration of sterilizing wild animals to address the increasing human-wildlife conflict.
The proposal, introduced in April 2026, aims to address the surge in fatal incidents involving elephants and leopards while ensuring humane animal population control. Farmers recently protested on the Mysuru-Chamarajanagar highway, denouncing Minister Khandre’s support for wildlife sterilization as unscientific and inhumane. They also criticized the expert who suggested the idea to the Forest Minister.
Farmers expressed their discontent with MLAs Puttarangashetty and A.R. Krishnamurthy for prioritizing lobbying for Cabinet posts over state interests. Bhagyaraj strongly opposed the wildlife sterilization proposal, alleging it as a scheme to kill wild animals for profit. He demanded the withdrawal of the minister’s statement and criticized the unscientific decision.
Bhagyaraj emphasized that the human-wildlife conflict reflects governmental failures and urged the Forest Minister to retract his statement. He suggested applying sterilization to corrupt individuals in politics and those obstructing youth from entering the field. Bhagyaraj highlighted disturbances caused to animals by human activities like safaris and resorts, leading them to encroach on residential areas.
