Concern over rise in man-gaur conflict in Coonoor

COONOOR: The man-gaur conflict appeared to have reached an alarming state in Coonoor region, as two gaur attack deaths were reported within a week, including the one on Monday morning and the death of an octogenarian earlier last week in Wellington.

Residents have sought effective action from foresters to curb the rising menace.

Last Wednesday, an octogenarian was killed by a gaur in Wellington. On Monday morning, a stray gaur attacked and killed one Chinnavelliayan (70), who was working in a private bungalow there, near Ullikal limits.

As the movement of wild gaur in human settlements, and also in and around the fields and tea gardens, been increasing in the recent weeks, this has not only turned a nightmare for residents here, but serves as a warning for forest officials to pull up their socks to chalk out strategies to curb the menace.

Sources in the forest department said that now is the breeding season of wild gaurs and it is natural that they look ferocious due to psycho-physiological changes in their body.  

Though it is a challenging task, residents should exercise extra caution while moving out in the morning and evening hours, sources added.

But, residents in Coonoor and its rural limits want the foresters to plan area specific strategy to mitigate the menace or at least develop either an early warning system or bio-control measures to find a lasting solution to the existing issue, which in recent times is showing an increase in the rural belts around Coonoor.