Wild Elephant Herds Cause Panic in Ayyampuzha, Threatening Workers and Farmers
Ayyampuzha panchayat near Angamaly, Kochi, wild elephants have caused growing concern as they continue to wreak havoc in local plantations, putting the lives of workers and farmers at risk. The persistent presence of elephant herds has forced residents to take measures to protect themselves and their livelihoods, but the escalating conflict between humans and wildlife remains a significant challenge.
On Monday, a plantation worker named Prasad was injured after being chased and attacked by a wild elephant while checking on workers in a cashew plantation. Prasad had gone there to ensure the safety of the women workers involved in vista clearance, but as the elephants roamed the area, he found himself in harm’s way. He was quickly shifted to a hospital in Angamaly and is now recovering from the attack.
The wild elephant menace has become increasingly troubling for the community. According to P U Jomon, the president of Ayyampuzha panchayat, elephants have been camping in the local rubber plantations, making it unsafe for rubber tappers to work early in the morning. On some occasions, the elephants even enter the village and attack people on two-wheelers. Beyond elephants, other wild animals such as leopards, deer, monkeys, giant squirrels, and peacocks are also adding to the woes of the farmers, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. Around 80% of the residents of Ayyampuzha are farmers, cultivating crops like plantain, coconut, areca nut, nutmeg, and tapioca. However, frequent raids by wild animals have forced them to stop agricultural activities, leading to severe financial strain for many families. With the growing presence of these animals in the area, it has become increasingly difficult for farmers to protect their crops, and the local economy is suffering as a result.
To address this alarming issue, the local authorities have taken steps to improve safety for both workers and the community. The Rapid Response Team (RRT) now conducts regular patrols before dawn to ensure that rubber tappers can safely enter the plantations without encountering elephants. These patrols have helped avoid casualties, but the challenge of protecting both people and crops continues. The forest department has also rolled out a Rs 14-crore initiative to install solar fencing along the forest boundary with the help of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). The solar fencing is part of a broader plan to drive the elephants back into the forest and prevent them from straying into the plantations. In some areas, elephant trenches have also been dug as a further deterrent to the animals. While these measures show promise, the effectiveness of such projects remains to be fully seen.
The situation is particularly tense as summer begins, with the hot weather pushing elephants into nearby human settlements in search of food and water. Residents of forest-fringe areas like Palappally, Athirappilly, Malayattoor, Kuttampuzha, Idamalayar, Mullaringad, and Neriamangalam have reported an increase in wild elephant attacks, making their lives unbearable. On Monday evening, the elephant menace claimed another life when a 45-year-old woman, Sofia Ismail, was tragically trampled to death by a wild elephant at Kombanpara in Idukki. The growing number of human-elephant conflicts, particularly in the region of Idukki, has prompted further calls for intervention to prevent future tragedies.
Although the situation in Malayattoor has improved due to the recent intervention of the forest department, where solar fencing was installed, elephants have found alternative routes through rivers to access plantations. Residents in the area, like Rajeev from Malayattoor, appreciate the efforts of the RRT, who patrol the plantations daily to ensure that tourists and workers are not at risk. However, the broader issue of elephant-human conflict remains unresolved, with wildlife and local communities at constant odds. The ongoing human-elephant conflict in Ayyampuzha and surrounding areas highlights the fragile relationship between wildlife and humans. As authorities work to implement better protective measures, it is clear that a sustainable solution will require a delicate balance between conservation efforts and the needs of local farmers and workers. Until then, the threat of wild elephant attacks continues to haunt the lives of those who live in the region.
