VD Satheesan faces black-flag protest in Idukki over order to restore traditional elephant corridors

A black-flag protest on a remote hill road in Idukki on Friday brought the simmering conflict over human-elephant interactions into the political spotlight, with Youth Front (M) activists targeting Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s convoy over an order concerning traditional elephant corridors.

Four Youth Front (M) activists waited along the hill road as Satheesan’s convoy made its way towards Kattappana and waved black flags while raising slogans, police said.

The protesters left the spot soon after, and no arrests had been made. 

The demonstration was triggered by a recent order issued by the Idukki district Collector directing steps to restore traditional elephant corridors in the district.

The order has called attention to fences and other obstructions in areas traditionally used by wild elephants.

The issue has gained urgency following a recent fatal wild elephant attack at Chinnakanal, which sparked protests among locals.

In the aftermath, the district administration directed farmers to remove fences erected in forest-fringe areas where they obstruct traditional elephant movement routes, sources said.

For residents living close to forest areas, however, the elephant corridor issue is tied to an increasingly fraught question of safety and livelihoods.

Recent elephant attacks in Idukki have again highlighted the risks faced by communities living alongside wildlife habitats.

Youth Front (M), the youth wing of Kerala Congress (M), is a constituent of the opposition LDF.

The black-flag protest against Satheesan adds a political dimension to the debate over how Idukki should balance human safety, farming interests and the protection of traditional wildlife movement corridors.