Idukki: For the past one-and-a-half years, elephants have claimed 11 lives in Idukki district, with four of these fatalities occurring just this year. Many others have sustained severe injuries in attacks. Those who lost their homes, farms, and livelihoods due to these attacks are facing even greater hardship. The huge question that remains is, will the authorities take effective action to prevent wild animals from entering residential areas? Apart from elephants, other wild animals such as tigers, leopards, wild boars, bears, wild buffaloes, monkeys, and porcupines are also causing fear and distress among the people of the hilly regions.

Fatal elephant attack in Peruvanthanam

On Tuesday, a tragic incident occurred in the Peruvanthanam region when 66-year-old Purushothaman, a native of Kanjirappally, was killed in an elephant attack. Purushothaman, who was tapping rubber with his son in the rubber estate at Mathamba, was first attacked by the elephant when it charged at his son. Though his son managed to escape, Purushothaman was caught by the elephant and severely injured. He was rushed to a private hospital in Mundakayam, but could not be saved.

Following the incident, the local forest officials and Peruvanthanam police took immediate action. A post-mortem was conducted at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Purushothaman is survived by wife Indira and children Prashanth and Rahul. His daughters-in-law are Anu (Panamattom) and Haritha (Kumali). The funeral took place on Wednesday at their home in Kanjirappally.

Persistent elephant menace in the region

The Mathamba and nearby areas in Peruvanthanam have been facing elephant-related issues persistently for several months. Despite repeated complaints by the locals to forest officials, no significant action has been taken to resolve the problem. This year alone, four people have been killed in elephant attacks in Idukki, with three of these fatalities having occurred at Peerumedu taluk.

According to official records, in the past decade, 47 people have lost their lives to elephant attacks. In 2024 alone, seven fell victim to elephant attacks, including Parimala (44) from Panniyar, Sundar Raj (68) from Chinnakkanal, Suresh Kumar (Mani), an auto-rickshaw driver from Kannimala Top Division, Indira Ramakrishnan (71) from Adimali, Kanjiraveli, Kannan from Chinnakanal Tanukukudi, and Amar Ilahi (29) from Mullaringadu. Amar was attacked by an elephant just 2 days before dawn of new year. Most of these victims were farmers, and two of them belonged to the Adivasi community.

Tragic losses in early 2025

On February 6, 2025, a 57-year-old man named Vimalan from the Champakkad tribal village was killed by an elephant while he was clearing fire lines in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Just four days later, another victim, Sophia, was killed in Peruvanthanam.

On June 13, Seetha, a woman from an Adivasi family in Meenmutty, was also killed by an elephant while she was collecting forest produce with her husband and children.

Worsening situation in high ranges and other areas

The situation has only worsened in recent months. In high-range areas, including Kumaramangalam, Kodikkulam, and Peruvanthanam, elephant herds have been causing severe disruption. These elephants have recently ventured into towns like Thodupuzha, within 8 kilometres of the town centre. Other areas such as Udumbannoor Panchayat, Malayinchi, Velur, Amayapra, and Mullappuram, which is four kilometres away from Karimannur, have also witnessed elephant sightings

Leopards have also been spotted in high-range areas, including Karinkunnam and Muttom Panchayats.

What is the solution?

The invasion of wild animals into human settlements must be strictly prevented. Solar fences and trenches need to be built scientifically with high standards. Proper maintenance is also essential. Security barriers should be set up in all border villages. Although the Forest Department has taken several steps, many complaints indicate that most of these measures have not been effective. In many places, solar fences have not even been completed. Immediate action must be taken.

For 3rd time this year, a wild elephant claims life in Peerumedu

On February 10, Sophia, a housewife, was killed by an elephant near her house. Sophia, wife of Ismail from Peruvanthanam, had gone to bathe in a stream near her home when the attack occurred. The area where she was attacked was just 4 km away from where another person, Purushothaman, was killed by an elephant in Mathamba. A strong protest broke out after Sophia's death. The villagers and public activists refused to allow the body to be moved until the collector arrived. The protests ended only after the collector arrived at the scene.

After four months, on June 13, a tribal woman named Sita was killed in a wild elephant attack in the forest. Sita, who had gone to collect forest resources in the Thottapura Meenmutty area of Peerumedu, was attacked by the elephant. She was with her husband and two children at the time. Even though the testimony was collected from the victim's husband, Binu, initially, there was some suspicion about whether it was a case of homicide, based on the preliminary findings in the post-mortem report. The forest department also joined the other side, breaking out the protests and controversy. However, after weeks of investigation, the cause of death was confirmed as an elephant attack.

Elephants continues to cause widespread damage

Marayoor: The situation in Pamban Para, Kanthalloor Panchayat, has worsened in the past week, with a herd of elephants causing huge damage. On September 23, 73-year-old T.S. Thoma’s coconut and banana crop plot, located near his house, was destroyed by elephants. Thomas was also severely injured by an elephant while he was collecting firewood near his home. His wife, Cecilia (70), managed to escape.

After receiving treatment, Thomas and his wife moved to a rented house in Marayoor, along with their younger daughter, while their own home in Pamban Para is now locked and left abandoned. This was the place where the elephants made sweeping attacks.