Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka signs MOU for Wildlife protection and Forest Management

Current Context: On September 27, 2024, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Vijayawada to enhance wildlife protection and forest management.

• The agreement aims to address human-elephant conflict, provide training and capacity building for forest personnel, and develop skills for handling and managing elephants.
• It also focuses on real-time information sharing on elephant migration, preventing the smuggling of red sanders and sandalwood, and curbing wildlife poaching.
• The MoU was signed by Andhra Pradesh’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Chiranjeevi Choudhary and Karnataka’s PCCF and HoFF Brijesh Kumar Dixit, in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Karnataka Forest Minister Eswar B Khandre.
• As part of the agreement, Karnataka will provide four Kumki elephants to Andhra Pradesh after the Dasara festival to help manage elephant migration issues.
• Additionally, Karnataka will train 25 mahouts and kavadis identified by Andhra Pradesh to improve their skills in handling elephants.

Question:

1 What was the primary purpose of the MoU signed between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on September 27, 2024?

• A) To promote tourism in both states
• B) To enhance wildlife protection and forest management
• C) To develop infrastructure projects
• D) To improve agricultural practices

Answer: B) On September 27, 2024, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Vijayawada to enhance wildlife protection and forest management.