BENGALURU: As many as 146 people have been killed by wild elephants and tigers in the past four years in Karnataka , which translates into three deaths per month. The figure raises concerns over the increasing incidence of man-animal conflict According to data from the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, the number is less in comparison to states like West Bengal and Assam — which witnessed 367 and 241 human deaths respectively in the same period — but experts say the fact that deaths are increasing every year in Karnataka is a cause for worry. Karnataka boasts of the highest number of tigers and elephants in the country.Data accessed by TOI from the Union ministry and the state forest department shows elephants are more in conflict with human than tigers — 135 of the 146 deaths were caused by jumbos and only 11 by tigers.“Every year, at least 36 people are being killed by elephants and tigers in Karnataka. Though the number marginally dipped in 2015-16, the last financial year saw it go up to 38,” said a senior official from the state forest department.A source in the department said according to the four-year data, Karnataka occupies the sixth spot nationally when it comes to humans being killed by elephants and tigers. “Even in the current financial year, the state has already seen 10 deaths due to conflict situations, eight of which were caused by elephants,” he added.Mahendra N, a wildlife expert, said tackling human-animal conflict needs a comprehensive approach, and the government should seriously set short-term and long-term goals.“While the forest department has been trying to fasten the pace of awarding compensation to villagers (for crop loss etc), serious efforts are needed to change the cropping pattern around forest areas. As a long-term measure, the state government should work towards restoring forest corridors which have got fragmented,” he pointed out.A senior official from the forest department said they have plans to restore elephant and tiger corridors. “We lack financial support to acquire land to expand forest cover. We are in talks with the government. But one should accept that given the large number of wild elephants and tigers in Karnataka forests, the number of conflict cases resulting in human deaths is low compared to other states,” he added.