Four hundred and ninety nine farmers in Denkanikottai forest range, who were the worst affected, got Rs. 11,12,300. In Jawalagiri forest range 239 farmers received Rs. 7,65,950 as compensation. In Hosur range 61 farmers were given Rs. 2,58,500. In Royakottai Range 33 farmers got Rs. 91,250 and two farmers in Krishnagiri range got Rs. 8,000.
District Forest Officer A.K. Ulaganathan told The Hindu that during the last financial year 1,625 farmers had demanded compensation for the crop loss. Just before the announcement of the Assembly elections, Rs. 43.4 lakh was distributed. Because of the election model code of conduct Rs. 22.36 lakh was pending. The amount was distributed on Saturday.
Mr. Ulaganathan said during 2010-11 many areas in the vicinity of the reserve forests in the district were ravaged by wild elephants. Since last October, they started entering human habitations damaging crops. The forest department made many efforts such as anti-depredation drive, awareness campaigns and distribution of crackers to the public.
Hosur forest division is a man-elephant conflict zone. Pachyderms come from the adjoining Bannerghatta National Zoological Park through Thali, Jawalagiri, Nagonaur, Denkanikottai, Saanamaavu, Udedurgam, Melumalai and Shoolagiri reserve forests.