Kulathupuzha people under fear of animals

KOLLAM: The villagers of Eastern Kollam anticipate a scary Onam as their demand for protection from wild animals including elephants remains a distant dream.

The villagers will observe a hartal at Kulathupuzha on September 2 to protest against the apathy of the Forest department and demanding protection for their lives and crops.

A people’s council has been formed following an all-party meeting held at the Kulathupuzha panchayat.

A herd of elephants has been creating havoc in the panchayat threatening the people’s lives for the past few days.

The villagers allege that the Forest department has unscientifically constructed an electric fence parallel to the Decent Junction in Kulathupuzha closing down animal crossings which has caused the herd to enter the village.

The council has taken initiatives to clear natural elephant routes along Thenmala, Punalur, and Thiruvananthapuram which shares the boundary of Kulathupuzha.

A herd of elephants is camping near the human settlement near Thenmala after elephant calves were attacked by wolves. Meanwhile, the public also is camping in the nearby village to prevent them from entering residential areas.

According to experts, the destruction of the natural habitat inside the forest is the cause of animals prowling in human settlements.

“The plantations including that of Eucalyptus should be turned into a natural forest so it will help the animals to find food and shelter, which should be the primary step that should be taken by authorities.

Fencing and trenching is not at all practical. Free movement of animals is restricted with the electric fencing. Plantation inside the forests should be stopped for a permanent solution from this menace,” A.T. Philip, Punalur block panchayat member, told DC.

The council will stage a road blockade protest on the Punalur –Chenkotta road on September 1 and it will be followed by a hartal the next day.