Keralam Forest department removes fences, iron bars blocking movement of wild elephants in Chinnakkanal

Fences reinstalled by landowners at Panthadikkalam, near Chinnakkanal, in Idukki. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Vellaram

The Keralam Forest department has removed fences and iron bars blocking the movement of wild elephants in Chinnakkanal here following demands from local tribal residents.

The decision came out of talks held between forest officials, tribal residents, and people’s representatives at the Panthadikkalam tribal settlement under the Devikulam forest range, following the death of a tribal farmer. Vijayan, a resident of Panthadikkalam, was killed on the morning of September 23 in an attack by a wild elephant known locally as Chakkakompan.

Following the farmer’s death, local residents staged protests demanding the immediate removal of barricades obstructing elephant passages in Panthadikkalam. During the talks, revenue and forest officials conceded to the demand, and an agreement was signed by the Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). Based on this agreement, the Idukki District Collector issued an order to dismantle illegal fencing along the migration passages.