Remove illegal structures on jumbo migratory paths, says Green activists

Coimbatore: Green activists are demanding action against illegally constructions blocking the elephant migratory path in Coimbatore forest division.

According to a reliable forest source, necessary actions are being taken to minimize the man-elephant conflict in Coimbatore. This time activists, NGOs and conservation journalists have joined hands and urged to go for a permanent solution to avoid further man-elephant conflicts in this belt.

Meanwhile, the farmers' association representatives, in order to pacify the farmers in their villages close to Western Ghats have pressured the district collector and forest department higher officials with frequent petitions.

“However, this time we are going to implement new methods and also a study to avoid further conflicts as a permanent solution suggested by the environmentalists and conservation journalists of Coimbatore," the source said.

"People living in outskirts close to Reserve forest boundary cannot deny that few of the deaths happened recently were man-made mistakes; we found alcohol presence during post-mortem reports; forest department has given instructions not to venture alone in late night after consuming alcohol," the source said.

Just for sake of getting compensation they get fake reports by giving bribe and try to threaten forest officials and that will not be encouraged anymore, source said.

N.I. Jalaludheen president of NCS a City-based NGO told DC, "politicians have to make  honest efforts to remove the constructions in the elephant migratory path including the removal of CRPF training academy compound wall, which blocks the major area of migratory path for more than three-km at a strategic point."

"We are not against farmers. We demand a permanent solution for them instead of time-being actions like translocation of wild elephants. NGOs in Coimbatore very well know removing of mats and education institutions in migratory path are not easy task they have the political power including state and central behind them. However without doing this just relocating elephants is an eye wash," he said.

"We came to know that the order for translocation of 'Vinayagan' has already reached the Coimbatore district forest office, but the officials here are not revealing the truth," added Jallal.

Kalidhas of Osai a City based NGO told the DC, Human life is more precious and without the support of common people long-time conservation is not possible. Common people living in elephant movement area should develop their awareness about these issues, instead of "hating" NGOs', he added.