PALAKKAD: A letter has been sent to the Forest Minister, Secretary, and top forest officials stating that the decision of the expert committee appointed by the High Court will further complicate the issue. S Guruvayoorappan, a former social scientist of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, has written a letter demanding an immediate stop to the transfer of Arikomban from Idukki Chinnakanal to Parambikulam.

Steps should be taken to change the rice-eating habits of Arikomban by keeping him in his own habitat. It is better to monitor the elephant and plan future events as the High Court first opined. If you leave Arikompan at Parambikulam, which is only about a hundred kilometers away if the distance is measured in a straight line, it will take only two or three days for him to return to Chinnakanal. The society has to endure new disasters that may arise during his journey. If he is established in Parambikulam, he will have to compete with the other elephants there. Moreover, the problems that can arise if he goes to any village to eat rice are unimaginable. Proposals for temporary and permanent relocation of people in Chinnakanal and surrounding areas to safer places and providing employment to local people through wildlife-friendly model projects were submitted to top officials including the Forest Minister and the expert committee appointed by the High Court the other day. Submitting the report on a conclusion that food and water will be available at will is a betrayal to wildlife and society, said S Guruvayoorappan.

There are people in Parambikulam too, don't they need protection?

PALAKKAD: K Babu MLA sent a letter to the Chief Minister and Forest Minister asking them to stop the process of bringing Arikomban to Parambikulam. The MLA said that there are houses and institutions here too and they also need protection and that the residents of Parambikulam are in fear. It has been decided to organize a public protest in Parambikulam today.