As arrangements are in full swing for the inauguration of the elephant camp, farmers in 23 villages along Thekkampatti are up in arms against the initiative.
They have hoisted black flags atop their homes, besides threatening to picket the camp site on Friday.
Chairman of the 23 Village Farmers’ Co-ordination Committee T. Pandurangan told The Hindu, “ We are not against the camp for elephants, but are opposed to the location of the camp.” He said the committee had already approached the Madras High Court, and the petition opposing the elephant camp was pending before the court and was likely to be taken up for hearing on December 14. But the State government is planning to press ahead with the camp.
The camp was situated in a crucial wild elephant habitat and corridor. Ever since the elephant camp was shifted to Thekkampatti, 16 lives had been lost. Thekkampatti was a conflict-prone pocket, villagers said.
“When the temple and mutt elephants are brought here, the wild elephants, that come in search of a companion, turn aggressive, causing loss of lives and extensive damage to crops. The wild elephants, on their migratory path during the said elephant rejuvenation camp period, stay put at Nellimalai and Neelimalai and refuse to move into the forests. They make attempts to enter the elephant camp at night, putting the lives of so many people at risk,” they added.
The committee was constrained to seek legal recourse moving a petition before the Madras High Court. To initiate contempt proceedings, it was searching for relevant written communication in government circles, Mr. Pandurangan said.
“To register our protest, we have already hoisted black flags atop houses in 23 villages, and on Friday, if the State decides to go ahead with the camp, the farmers will be left with no option but to picket the camp and court arrest,” he added.
