Dual threat from wild and domestic elephants

It is the festival season in the state of Kerala. Domestic elephants are being used for festivals when wild elephants are roaming around in Wayanad and other places posing a threat to human lives and creating havoc. There is hardly a day that goes by without news about the damage caused by elephants during festivals. Although there are widespread protests and complaints from the locals about the threat posed by a few wild elephants to agriculture, property and even human life, it is noteworthy that no one has made any major complaints about the damage caused by elephants during festival celebrations.

Three people, including two women, died in a stampede during a procession in Koyilandy, Kozhikode on Thursday when two elephants ran amok. About 30 people were injured, some of whom are in critical condition. The building where the festival committee was working collapsed while the elephants were running. The deceased were standing under it. One of the elephants got scared and gored the elephant standing nearby when a firework was burst with a loud bang near the elephants that were being held for the procession. Such senseless acts, which are common at the festival site, are what anger the elephants.

It has not been long since the High Court issued strong guidelines for elephant processions after noticing the problems caused by domestic elephants. Festival committees and local elephant organizations are still protesting against it. However, it should be remembered that the court has issued only instructions that can be implemented without much difficulty. The presence of elephants in festivals has become a part of our culture and temple rituals. Malayalis cannot even imagine festivals without elephants. At the same time, with the passage of time, some restrictions have become necessary. Most festivals are held in severe heat. Elephants, who are less able to withstand the heat, need to be given special care to participate in the festival. A small provocation is enough for them to show disobediance. Those who come to participate in the festival also try their best to provoke the elephants.

The UDF called a hartal in Wayanad the other day, alleging that the forest department is not being diligent in controlling wild elephants that enter human settlements and harm humans. The distance between forests and human settlements is decreasing in the state. It is natural that the encroachment of wild animals will increase accordingly. Ways should be devised to keep wild elephants, which are the most harmful to humans, in the forests. Wild elephants enter human settlements in search of food and water. If the resources needed by elephants are provided in the forests themselves, this can be solved to some extent. Bamboo and palm trees are staples for elephants. These should be planted in the forests. Availability of water should also be ensured. The funds of the forest department can be used for all this. The forest department's action should not be limited to providing compensation to the dependents of those who die in elephant attacks. How to prevent wild animals from entering human settlements should also be thought about. The necessary means should be found. The state is currently facing a dual threat from wild and domestic elephants.