Forest Department conducts month-long awareness drives in Valparai to curb human-animal conflict

With the seasonal migration of wild elephants from Kerala touching the peak with 13 visiting herds dotting tea estates, the Valparai plateau is passing through a challenging period of the year in terms of human-wildlife coexistence.

However, estate workers, who often become victims of negative interactions with the pachyderms, are better informed of the dos and don’ts to keep themselves safe this year. Thanks to authorities of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), who conducted about 100 awareness sessions for estate workers and other stakeholders in January.  

The migration of elephants begins in September and peaks in February. The visiting elephants start their return journey by March.

According to Forest Department officials, 60 to 70% of the 20,000 people employed in nearly 50 estates in the Valparai plateau are from other States and are less familiar with the terrain and its wildlife. Elephant, leopard, sloth bear and gaur are the top wild animals, with which workers have close encounters in the plateau, which falls under the jurisdictions of Valparai and Manambolly forest ranges of ATR.

“Awareness programmes were largely to educate estate workers about the wildlife in the region and how to avoid negative interactions with them. Similar programmes were also conducted for TNSTC drivers and estate managements.  Local councillors, municipality staff, the police and volunteers were also engaged in awareness activities,” said Manambolly Forest Range Officer K. Giritharan.  

According to him, among the estate workers, the main target was migrant workers. They were sensitised with the help of field officers and supervisors, who speak their native languages. Awareness sessions were also organised in labour lines (quarters), creches and ration shops.  

“Elephants often damage houses and ration shops after being lured by its smell. People have been advised to store ration rice in air tight containers in their homes. They are also advised to avoid storing fruits like jackfruit and pineapple, which attract elephants,” Mr. Giritharan said.

Valparai Forest Range Officer Suresh Krishnan said bushes around all labour lines have been removed. Estate managements have been told to provide adequate lighting around labour lines and protective measures like solar fencing.

“Inadequate or nil mobile tower in many estate areas is a major hindrance in communication in the plateau. We have requested estate managements to install short-range cell towers to boost networks,” he said.

ATR authorities also sensitised meat shop owners and advised them to avoid open dumping of meat and poultry waste that attract leopards and bears.