After Arikomban, forest dept officials taking measures to chase away Padayappa; wire fence erected around waste plant

MUNNAR: The forest department is taking measures to chase away the wild elephant named Padayappa. The forest department has issued a notice to the village panchayat asking them not to place vegetable waste in front of the waste plant until the Padayappa is chased away into the forest.

The elephant comes near the waste plant in Nallathanni to eat the vegetable and fruit waste. Therefore, the forest department has given instructions not to deposit such waste there. The panchayat has already removed all the garbage piled up outside the plant. The forest officials are hoping that Padayappa will go back to the forest when it won't be able to get any food near the waste plant. The Munnar Gram Panchayat has also started measures to ensure that Padayappa does not enter the plant. Political parties, including the CPI, have asked the forest department to chase away Padayappa within three days. They warned that they will stop the forest guards if they fail to take action.