Series of fatal elephant attacks fuel outrage against Forest Dept in Malappuram's Mancheeri
The repeated intrusion of wild animals into agricultural lands has caused significant crop damage and posed a grave threat to human lives.
The repeated intrusion of wild animals into agricultural lands has caused significant crop damage and posed a grave threat to human lives.
The repeated intrusion of wild animals into agricultural lands has caused significant crop damage and posed a grave threat to human lives.
Malappuram: The death of a tribal youth in a wild elephant attack in the Mancheeri forest near Nilambur here has intensified protests calling for urgent action to address the growing man-wildlife conflict in the area. The repeated intrusion of wild animals into agricultural lands has caused significant crop damage and posed a grave threat to human lives.
The deceased, Mani (40), was a crucial link between the indigenous Cholanaikkan community and the outside world. His death has sparked widespread anger, with residents demanding immediate government intervention to prevent further loss of life.
The incident occurs at a time when the Congress and the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), led by MLA PV Anvar, are vying for influence in the agrarian areas of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Both parties have been protesting the state government's recently introduced forest bill. PV Anvar has focused on forest-related issues to strengthen his position in the region.
Following Mani's death, DMK supporters were the first to respond, staging a passionate protest and vandalising the Nilambur North Divisional Forest Office (DFO). Speaking to the media during the protest march, Anvar accused the forest department of failing to act. "The actions of Forest Minister AK Saseendran seem to favour animals over humans. People are angry because the forest department has initiated no inquiry. One life has already been lost, and others could follow. What we saw at the DFO office was an emotional outburst from the people. There is a limit to controlling it," said Anvar.
The incident also draws attention to a series of fatal animal attacks in the region that have happened over the years. On January 2, 2022, Karimpuzha Mathan, a senior tribal leader from the Cholanaikkan community who had attended the Republic Day parade as a guest, was killed in a similar attack. More recently, on March 28, 2024, Mini (45), a tribal woman from the Parappanpara colony, was killed in an elephant attack.
The situation is exacerbated by the lack of protective measures, such as solar fencing, along the 27 kilometres of agricultural land in the region. Residents are urging the government to install proper fencing immediately to ensure the safety of lives and livelihoods in the area.