Forest dept. clears natural elephant passages in Chinnakkanal in Keralam

Wild tusker Chakkakompan moved to the Mathikettan Shola National Park once the Forest department dismantled a fence at the RS estate nearby. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Amid protests from farmer groups and political parties against the directive to remove fences and structures that block elephant passages, the Idukki district administration and the Forest department are moving ahead with clearing natural passages in Chinnakkanal under the Devikulam forest range in Keralam.

Officials said the initiative followed a steady rise in human deaths and injuries in areas bordering forests in the district. Recent data compiled by the district administration showed that over the past decade, wildlife conflicts claimed 81 lives and left 486 injured.

According to the data, 2023-24 recorded the highest death toll of 10 and 79 injuries, while 2024-25 saw seven deaths and 103 injuries. Within the first nine months of this year, wild elephant attacks left five people dead and 13 injured. Fatalities and injuries among plantation workers, farmers, and tribal communities have surged to an alarming level.