Mission Arikomban: Isn’t relocating colony people a permanent solution, HC asks forest department

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court hinted to prolong ‘Mission Arikomban’ to dart the wild tusker Arikomban. The court mentioned that catching and caging him cannot be considered immediately. The court asked the officials of the forest department whether there is any other way in this case.

The court observed that the permanent solution is to relocate those in 301 Colony suffering due to the movement of Arikomban. The court also asked how the tribals were relocated to the habitat of the elephant. The high court is hearing the case in open court. Additional AG Ashok M Cherian appeared for the forest department.

The forest department also pointed that the permanent solution is to relocate those in the 301 Colony. However, the forest department argued that the immediate action to be taken is to capture Arikomban and cage him. The forest department informed the court that it is not practical to capture the elephant and install radio collar and move it to the inner forest, and to keep it where it is now by attaching a GSM collar and monitor the elephant's movement.

It is not easy to catch all elephants and cage them. The court also inquired whether the nuisance of the elephant is there in every colony. The forest department said ‘yes’. Asked what has been done for the safety of the people, the court said, ‘If it is Arikomban today, another tusker will come tomorrow.’ The court asked whether the elephant could be tracked if a radio collar was installed.