Wild elephant attacks: 105 people died in five years

KANUUR: 105 people have lost their lives due to wild elephant attacks between 2018 and 2022. Though wild elephants are still spreading fear in Palakkad and Wayanad, there are no significant measures to stop them. 23 people were killed last year alone.

Palakkad eastern circle recorded the highest number of deaths in one year-38. Seventeen people died in Kannur in the northern circle and Kottayam in the high-range circle. Eleven people lost their lives in Thrissur, the central circle. Seven each died in the southern circle of Kollam and wildlife circle of Palakkad. Six were killed in the Kottayam wildlife circle. Two people died in the Thiruvananthapuram ABP circle. This is as per the figure provided by the forest minister's office to RTI activist Raju Vazhkala.

The main reason for the deaths is the lack of mechanisms to monitor or prevent wild elephants from entering human settlements. The Human Rights Commission's recommendation to prepare modern devices like drones to track the movements of elephants was also not implemented.

Rs 3.90 crore as compensation

Financial aid is being given to the victims of attacks under the centrally-initiated project 'Project Elephant'. Rs 3.90 crore was given as compensation for wild elephant attack deaths in Kerala in the last 5 years. 2017-18: 75 lakh, 2018-19: 75.60 lakh, 2019-20: 79.96 lakh, 2020-21: 75.36 lakh, 2021-22: 84.63 lakh.

To stop wild elephants

To prevent the entry of wild elephants, the implementation of solar hanging power fencing is also being prioritized in Idukki Munnar Division and nearby areas using state funds. Rs 1.94 cr has been requested from the Centre for Scheduled Tribe settlement areas as part of 'Project Elephant'.