Forest dept. moves ahead with clearing natural elephant passages in Chinnakkanal in Keralam

The forest department in Idukki district, Kerala has begun clearing natural elephant passages in the Chinnakkanal area, despite objections from local farmers and political parties. The decision follows a surge in human deaths and injuries caused by wildlife conflicts in the region. According to recent data, 81 people lost their lives and 486 were injured over the past decade due to such incidents.

The past two years saw the highest toll, with 2023-24 recording 10 deaths and 79 injuries, while 2024-25 saw seven fatalities and 103 injuries. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, five people were killed and 13 injured by wild elephants. The Devikulam forest range has been particularly affected, with high numbers of fatalities and injuries occurring there.

The Forest Department's High Range Circle Chief Conservator of Forests, D.K. Vinod Kumar, revealed that the recent death of a tribal farmer at the Panthadikkalam settlement prompted the removal of a fence at the RS estate, allowing a tusker named Chakkakompan to move towards Mathikettan Shola National Park. Chakkakompan had been camped in the area for over a year and a half due to the obstruction.

The officers have identified three major passages in Chinnakkanal that are currently blocked, which include the corridor connecting Mathikettan-Thondimala to Chinnakkanal, Shankarapandyamettu to the PPK estate, and Devikulam to old Devikulam. The Forest department plans to capture and relocate two problematic wild elephants, Chakkakompan and a female elephant named Murivali, before December.

While there are 17 to 18 wild elephants residing in Chinnakkanal, mass capture and relocation is not feasible. To address the issue, Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt has formed a four-member expert committee to investigate human-wildlife conflict in the area and propose long-term solutions.