After 2 deaths, Kumkis brought to drive out wild jumbos in Pollachi

Sources said Ranjana (7), daughter of an anti-poaching watcher from Navamalaipathi, and Mahali (55), a daily wager from the same neighbourhood, lost their lives on May 24 and 25 respectively.

The panicked tribal people then gheraoed the Forest Department staff demanding concrete steps to drive away the wild jumbo, which they claimed was frequenting their locality over the last few months. Refusing to receive the compensation amount, the locals said they would not budge until the elephant was driven back into the forest. Subsequently, ATR field director Ganesan formed a 30-member team, comprising anti-poaching watchers and foresters led by Pollachi forest ranger Kasilingam, to maintain a constant vigil.

Despite this, the wild elephant strayed into the tribal settlement again on early Monday. The special team managed to drive it away by firing crackers. The department then decided to engage kumkis Bharani and Suyambu to prevent further human-animal conflicts. While Bharani reached on Sunday night, Suyambu arrived on Monday afternoon. “The two kumkis would be stationed along the usual pathway taken by the wild elephant during night hours to dissuade it from visiting the residential neighbourhood,” said a Forest Department official.

According to sources, this was the first instance of elephant attack resulting in loss of life in Navamalaipathi. The 45-odd families living in the village have been provided temporary night shelter at a school near Navamalai TNEB quarters as a precautionary measure. Tourists have also been barred from entering the Navamalai river and Aliyar dam, where the rampaging elephant is said to frequent. Besides, the Forest Department staff are creating awareness among villagers on not hurling stones at the elephant as it mightretaliate.