Blocking pathway: Tribals of Kerala object to Anakulam forest fencing
KOCHI: While concerns are being raised that the fence being erected along the banks of Idacholayaar will drive away wild elephants from Anakulam Oru, the water they relish, tribals living in the deep forest have also objected to the plan.
Around 430 tribals belonging to 73 families living in the Uriampetty tribal colony inside the forest have submitted a petition to Malayattoor DFO A Ranjan demanding the project be dropped as it will block the pathway they have been using for generations. “Our colony is located six km inside the forest. We walk all the way to Anakulam to buy essentials, send our kids to school and take ailing patients to hospital. We have been using the pathway for decades. The fencing will prevent us from reaching Anakulam,” said Gireesh, a tribal youth.
“Kuttampuzha panchayat, from where we belong, is 26 km away from the colony and takes four hours by jeep to reach. The jeep drivers charge Rs 4,000 for a single trip which is unaffordable. Every week, we go to Anakulam to buy essentials and sometimes the elephants chase us. When somebody is sick, we make a stretcher using gunny bags and sticks and carry the patient on our shoulders to the hospital at Anakulam. The fencing will make it difficult for us to reach the village,” Gireesh said.He said there are 15 children staying in hostels. As many as 18 attend a single-teacher school, while 28 kids attend the Anganwadi here.
The teachers are from outside. They stay with the tribals in the colony and go to their native place during weekends, he said.“The DFO has assured steps to ensure our pathway is not disturbed. Officers have assured our right to use the pathway will be protected,” He said, adding, “If the fencing project is not dropped, we will approach the Human Rights Commission or move the court.”
DFO A Ranjan said the project was being implemented by the Mankulam division and the Malayattoor division had no role in it. “The tribals have submitted a petition against the fencing project. As Mankulam division is implementing the project, I have forwarded the petition to the DFO concerned,” Ranjan said.
Mankulam DFO B N Nagarajan said the department will ensure the pathway of tribals is not blocked.
“Some people are misleading the tribals. We will not block their pathway. The fencing is being erected without disturbing the elephant pathway and the tribals’ access to the village. We are using steel ropes to stop wild elephants from entering human habitats. The steel ropes will not harm elephants, but they will not be able to destroy it as well. The High Court has ordered steps be taken to avoid man-animal conflicts and this is an attempt to ensure the safety of villagers. The 1.2 km fencing will prove helpful to farmers,” he said.
‘Fencing will increase man-animal conflicts’
In stark contrast to official claims, Prakriti Samrakshana Vedi chairman M N Jayachandran, a green activist, alleged the fencing project will only lead to an increase in man-animal conflicts.“Anakulam is the most active elephant habitat in south India. The decision to erect a fence near the Oru is in violation of the directions issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest as part of Project Elephant. Now, the department has said the fencing will be made avoiding the Oru and the tribals’ pathway. Then what is the relevance of the fencing? The elephants may enter the village through the gaps and will panic if they find themselves trapped inside the fence,” he said.
Jayachandran also alleged the estimate for the fencing was not prepared by a competent authority.
“As it is a civil work, the executive engineer of the PWD mechanical wing has to approve the work. But higher officers in the Forest Department sanctioned the work illegally,” he said.Serious allegations have been raised against the project as the fence is not erected along the actual boundary of the forest. While the actual boundary is the Anakulam-Valiyaparakutty Road, the fencing is being erected along the banks of the Idacholayaar river. The fencing will give legal sanctity to around 10 encroachments, including a tourist resort,” said Harish Vasudevan, an activist.
Uriampetty tribal colony
Distance from Anakulam 6 km
Distance from Kuttampuzha 26 km
Population 430
No of families 73
Minister seeks report on Anakulam forest fencing
Kochi:Forest Minister K Raju on Tuesday sought a report from the Mankulam divisional forest officer (DFO) on the alleged attempt to erect a fence on the bed of Idacholayaar and disturb elephant herds which frequent ‘Anakulam Oru’ to quench thirst. The minister’s action follows the Express report (published on February 20) on how the fencing project being implemented by the Mankulam division of the Forest Department has triggered a controversy. Raju said the government will ensure there is no violation and the pathway of the tribal people is not blocked. “I have taken note of the Express report regarding the allega-tions fencing may drive away wild elephants from their natural water source. The government is concerned about the rise in man-animal conflicts and we want to ensure wild animals don’t stray into human habitations and destroy crops,” he said. “Above all, we have to ensure the safety of tourists who gather at the spot to watch the elephants. We will ensure the fencing does not disturb the elephants. Steps will be taken to ensure the pathway of the tribals living in Uriampatty is not blocked. We will also look into allegations of encroachment. I have sought a report from the DFO in this regard,” Raju said.