With a view to bringing down the incidence of man-animal conflict in the forest fringe villages under the Malampuzha Assembly constituency, the Forest Department has started setting up brushwood check-dams across streams and rivulets in the Walayar forest. These eco-friendly check-dams help store water to meet the requirements of wild animals, especially elephants.
The check-dams, constructed mainly using bamboo poles, fallen trees, stones, and soil, can ensure water availability within the forests, preventing wild animals from straying into human habitations. A dozen brushwood check-dams have already been constructed in Walayar, Malampuzha, Kottekkad, and Kanjikode forest areas and two dozen more will be readied by the end of this month.
Apart from ensuring water for animals, in the long run these check-dams will help improve forest cover. They will also help in improved forest management involving vegetative and slope treatment measures. The check-dams have a maximum height of 1 m so that the excess water will flow over the dam.
According to Olavakkode Divisional Forest Officer Narendranath Veluri, these temporary check-dams help ease man-animal conflicts to a considerable extent.
Ponds to be dug
The department is also planning to dig ponds in marshy areas to help meet the water needs of elephants. Both the works are implemented with the involvement of forest development committees involving local tribals.
Steps are being taken to repair elephant proof trenches and solar fencings in regions where elephants have started crop raiding. A woman who was working in a brick kiln at Kottekkad was trampled to death by wild elephants three weeks ago.
The department is planning to handover maintenance of solar fencings to Kudumbasree units.
Ill-equipped RRT
T. Gopalan, a Malampuzha-based social activist, said the Rapid Response Team (RRT) set up to chase away wild elephants was ill equipped for the task. “They burst crackers to chase away the elephants. But in most cases, the crackers fail to create panic among the elephants. The team is yet to be permitted to use rubber bullets and has no vehicle to use in case of emergencies.” The poor monsoon has resulted in water sources and fodder in the Palakkad gap drying up.
