Wild tusker Chakkakompan uses cleared elephant passage to move to national park in Keralam’s Idukki

Wild tusker Chakkakompan, near 301 Colony, at Chinnakkanal in Idukki. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In a positive sign towards mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Chinnakkanal under the Devikulam forest range, a wild tusker locally known as Chakkakompan has moved into the Mathikettan Shola National Park through a newly cleared natural elephant passage at Panthadikkalam near Chinnakkanal.

According to High Range Circle Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) D.K. Vinod Kumar, the Forest department dismantled illegal fences that had obstructed traditional elephant passages, acting on a recent directive issued by the Idukki District Collector.

“Following the recent death of a tribal farmer at the Panthadikkalam settlement, the department removed a fence at the adjacent RS Estate. Once the barrier was cleared, Chakkakompan used the route to migrate towards Mathikettan Shola National Park,” Mr. Kumar said.

Devikulam Forest Range Officer E.D. Arun Kumar noted that the tusker had remained confined to the area for the past 18 months because of the obstruction. “Once we reopened the natural passage, the animal moved towards Mathikettan,” he said.

Petition in HC