NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old man was tragically trampled to death by a wild elephant in Knachary, Kuttampuzha, Ernakulam district on Monday night. The incident has sparked protests by residents highlighting the escalating human-animal conflict in the area.
Eldhose, a native of Knachary, was walking home around 8 PM after getting off a bus when the elephant suddenly attacked him. Another person walking nearby narrowly escaped by fleeing the scene. Local residents discovered Eldhose’s body later that night and staged a protest and refused to allow authorities to move the body until their demands were heard. They have long raised concerns over the frequent encroachment of wild animals into human settlements which has worsened in recent years.
ALSO READ: Mystery of 350 elephant deaths in Botswana’s Okavango solved
Eldhose was a laborer and was the sole breadwinner for his family which includes his aged parents and sister. The unlit, 1-km stretch to his house, flanked by dense forest, is notorious for frequent wildlife movement, according to locals.
This tragic incident comes as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised the issue of compensation in cases of man-animal conflict in the Lok Sabha on Monday. She questioned whether compensation for ordinary people and farmers would be increased in cases involving animal attacks on humans.
Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav responded to Priyanka’s query, stating that a team of central government officials, led by him, visited three taluks in the Wayanad constituency to assess the situation. Initiatives are being undertaken in collaboration with the Forest Department and the district administration. Wayanad and many other parts of Kerala have been facing increasing wildlife encounters, including fatal incidents involving elephants, tigers, leopards, and wild boars. According to government records, over the past nine years, 915 people have died and 7,919 have been injured in human-animal conflicts.
ALSO READ: Tiger death near Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary sparks poaching concerns
The protests in Knachary reflect the growing frustration of local communities over the lack of effective measures to address human-wildlife conflict. Eldhose’s death underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety of both human and wildlife populations.
The geographical terrain of areas like Knachary, which borders protected forests, makes them particularly vulnerable to such conflicts. Local farmers and residents have repeatedly criticized the Forest Department for its indifferent approach to this major issue. Authorities claim that habitat preservation issues are being addressed and conflict management strategies are being developed.
As human-animal conflicts continue to pose a significant threat to local communities and it is imperative to implement effective measures that prioritize the safety and well-being of both humans and wildlife.
