BENGALURU — With human-wildlife conflict deaths surging from 41 to 65 over a two-year period, state officials have taken decisive action by formally requesting more Central funding to repeat last year's infrastructure announcements.

The urgent plea for capital comes shortly after a state minister directed the Forest Department to complete construction on 422 kilometers of elephant trenches and 544 kilometers of hanging solar fences within a strict one-month window. The 30-day mandate builds upon the momentum of an October 2025 initiative that launched a "modern tech command centre" and a state-level task force—a technological leap that successfully allowed Kodagu district to account for 38 percent of all state wildlife fatalities by March 2026.

"The crisis is escalating, which is precisely why we need the Centre to release more money for the mitigation works that currently remain totally incomplete," a local MLA explained to reporters. Officials quietly confirmed that the ongoing failure to build the barriers has proved highly sustainable for local contractors, who remain well-positioned to continuously bid on repairing the trenches they have not yet dug.

To further address the persistent threat of animal attacks caused by shrinking forest boundaries, the state government confirmed it will continue prioritizing its development agenda in the affected districts by fast-tracking the construction of new corporate offices and sports centers.