Eight lives were lost in 2014 and four till now in Sathyamangalam, Hassanur and Erode Erode accounts for a high number of deaths in man-animal conflicts. Eight lives were lost in 2014 and four till now in attacks by wild animals in the forest divisions of Sathyamangalam, Hassanur and Erode. Man-animal conflicts usually occur when wild animals stray out due to water shortage in forest areas. “This time, thanks to the summer showers, there has been no major straying incident by elephants,” says C.H. Padma, District Forest Officer, Hassanur and Deputy Director, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. “The department has been advising people to move in groups or carry fireballs and powerful torches while moving at night says, Nagarajan, District Forest Officer, Erode Division. In case of a death, the affected family is entitled to Rs. 3 lakh as compensation. An immediate relief of Rs. 25,000 is provided to the families of the victims, and the rest is settled in 30 days of submission of required documents, including the legal heir certificate, post-mortem report, and certificate of residence, sources said. During 2014-15, nine of the 14 deaths were caused by elephants, three by leopards and two by Indian Gaurs. A compensation of Rs. 34.75 lakh was paid to families of victims. In 2012-13, Rs. 7.88 lakh was paid as compensation in three death cases. The compensation and the number of death cases rose up to Rs. 53 lakh and 18 cases respectively during 2013-14. In Tirupur, no death was reported in the last three years. However, conflicts have left three members of the tribal community living close to the forest injured in Amaravathi and Udumalpet forest ranges. The Forest Department pays compensation for people injured in wild animal attack as well. To mitigate conflict situations, 33-km-long elephant proof trenches have been laid in the district with majority of the stretches lying in areas bordering forests in Amaravathi and Udumalpet areas, says C. Vidhya, DFO (in-charge).