Kothamangalam elephant attack: Minister assures immediate action, trench construction to begin today

Thiruvananthapuram: Forest minister AK Saseendran declared that the government will speed up action to prevent man-animal conflict in Ernakulam's Kothamangalam. The minister made the announcement while responding to the media about the tragic death of a man in an elephant attack at Urulanthanni in Kuttampuzha, a panchayat under Kothamangalam taluk.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Saseendran said that he had directed the district collector to monitor the situation in the Kuttampuzha soon after he received reports on the death in an elephant attack. He assured that all the promises given to the people for their safety from wild animals will be fulfilled in a time-bound manner.

“ Forest and revenue officials reached the spot to pacify the natives who started a massive protest by refusing to release the body. Though it was late at night, the District collector visited the protesters and assured them that immediate action would be taken to address their concerns. Based on this, we have decided to start the construction of trenches in the areas bordering forest on Tuesday itself,” said the minister.

Apart from trenches, actions are being taken to erect solar hanging fences and complete fencing works. Directions have been given to install streetlights on the stretch of the area where the wild elephant trampled Eldhose to death, added the minister.

Reacting to the criticism against the forest department over the lapses in establishing arrangements for the safety of people in the areas close to forest range, the minister claimed that delay in tender procedures affected the fencing and other works.

“ Contractors are not ready to take works under the forest department as the fund allocation is always delayed. Now, we have taken action to address these issues immediately,” he said.

Eldhose (45) was attacked and trampled to death by a wild elephant on Monday evening. This is the second death in a wild elephant attack reported within two days in Kothamangalam. The body of Eldhose will be released for last rites after post-mortem at Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery.