On a complaint alleging that wild animals were straying into inhabited areas in villages and towns near the forest areas of Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the State’s Chief Conservator of Forests and the District Collector.
The complaint alleged that wild animals had been killing people and damaging crops without any protective measures by the authorities concerned. The NHRC has given eight weeks time to the two officers to submit a report in the case.
Mute spectators
While issuing the notices, the Commission observed that it could understand the miserable plight of the populace in the affected areas, living up with the dangers of attack by the wild animals. “The authorities cannot afford to be mute spectators in such circumstances,” said the Commission.
The complainant alleged that during the last three years, six persons were allegedly killed by tigers and 20 by wild elephants in the Ooty town area, Noolpusha, tea plantation at Bitherkkadu, Devarshole, etc. However, no action was taken by the government officers.
Protection sought
Requesting for protection to the people and their crops from wild animals, the complainant drew attention towards the African countries, which have tried to provide big trenches and nets to prevent the entry of wild animals into the human areas.
