Alappuzha: Now, protest against releasing tusker to forest

Alappuzha: The wild tusker Kallur Komban, leading a caged life for more than two months in Wayanad now, will remain in captivity for the time being. Dhanesh Kumar, the wildlife warden, said the forest department took efforts to release the tusker into Anakkalvayal of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary after a government order following widespread protests.

They had tranquillized the elephant, attached a collar chip and loaded in a truck, but got an oral direction from additional chief secretary P. Mara Pandiyan to keep him until chief minister‘s return from Bahrain.

People were exerting pressure on the government to keep Komban in captivity. They also threatened to shoot the elephant and even raze the forests if he were released.

The department captured the tusker in November from Wayanad after it left a trail of destruction in villages such as Kallur and Muthanga. It was in captivity at Muthanga since. People say the tusker did regularly raid their crops and properties.

However, the government was forced to take the decision after the matter came to the High Court last month. Last week, Mr Pandiyan issued a directive to release him into the wild immediately.

Nibha Namboodiri, who moved the HC for his release, protested the sudden twist, calling it bureaucratic apathy.

“The sole sufferer is the animal,” she said.  “Keeping a wild animal caged is not a solution for worries of people. Their concerns should be addressed with creating awareness.” Her online petition had got over a thousand signatures in a week.

Earlier, a seven-member committee headed by Kerala Forest Research Institute former director P. S. Easa had suggested to keep him in captivity.

On January 1, 1996, a wild elephant was captured after being tranquilised. Another one died in captivity on December 10, 1995. People in Parambikulam say releasing a rogue animal could cause ripple effects on their life.

K. Babu, local MLA, said he would approach the forest minister to revoke the order to release the pachyderm.This is not first time a wild elephant captured by Forest department from Wayanad is being released.

On January 1, 1996, when O. P. Kaler was the Wildlife warden of Wayanad, a wild elephant was captured after being tranquilised with the help of Mr Balasubrahmanian of Kerala Forest Research Institute. Another tusker was caged on December 10, 1995 and it died in captivity.

Meanwhile, the people in the Parambikulam area had upped the ante against the movement of Forest department since order was issued. They said that releasing of a rogue animal to their habitat could casue ripple effect on peaceful life in the area. K Babu, MLA, said he would approach the forest minister to revoke the order.