Kushalnagar, May 19 -- Minister Khandre orders SOP, tourists barred from close contact, safety norms tightened

In the wake of the death of a tourist at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu yesterday, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for visitor safety at elephant camps across the State.

S. Juneshe (33), a homemaker from Chennai, was killed after getting trapped under an elephant during a fight between captive elephants Kanjan and Jai Marthanda while visiting the camp with her family.

Following the incident, the Minister instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden to ensure that tourists maintain a minimum distance of 100 feet while w...