THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the incursion of wild elephants into residential areas in Palakkad district, Kani tribals living in settlements deep inside Peppara forests here under the constant threat of marauding wild jumbos have woken up to the need for a rapid action squad. Forest Department has sanctioned five rapid action squads across the state, one each for Nilambur, Wayanad, Palakkad, Kannur and Ranni alone.
Kanis were promised such a squad way back in 2006, when the tusker known as ‘Kolakolli’ ravaged through the settlements. Later in 2012, when a tribal woman was killed by a wild elephant, the then forest minister, Mr K B Ganesh Kumar, had promised a rapid action squad for Peppara.
The Minister had then, as a temporary measure, suggested the use of sound-making guns by forest officials in the area to frighten the wild animals out of the settlements. He was even open to the idea of a tribal force to keep the wild elephants in check.
“None of the promises made by successive governments have been met. It is strange that we have not been provided a rapid action squad as tribals in these parts live in constant fear of wild attacks. It is quite usual for killer tuskers, especially loners, to roam around our settlements forcing us inside our huts, preventing even our children from going to school and blocking our weekly visits to the Kottoor market,” said Suresh Kani who lives in Podiyam settlement.
Top forest officials concede that more rapid action squads were necessary. However, according to a senior official, the lack of a squad would not put the Peppara area at a disadvantage.
“The rapid action squad deputed to the Ranni forest division could be used by the Peppara division. The Ranni unit is meant to serve the southern parts,” the official said. Each rapid action squad will consist of 10 men who have a thorough understanding of the forest. They will be provided with vehicles and guns.
