2 kumkis to patrol Mudumalai to control jumbo intrusion

Kumkis Jambu and Wasim were brought to Thorapalli from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) to drive away those wild elephants venturing out of the forest.

The kumkis were roped in after a wild elephant toppled a jeep loaded with milk cans, resulting in villagers blocking the Gudalur-Karnataka national highway for about two hours on July 7.

The protesting villagers then insisted the Forest department to take up stern measures to prevent the infiltration of wild elephants. On the same day, a 66-year-old tribesman was reportedly trampled to death by a wild elephant in Coonoor.

The Forest department has decided to station both Jambu and Wasim for a few days in the conflict-prone locality. “Trenches will be dug and the forest borders will be solar fenced. Until these works get over, both the kumkis will be camping in the area to safeguard villagers,” a senior Forest official said.

Wild elephants are known to frequently step out of the forests into border villages, including Thorapalli, Kunil, Putturvayal and Allurvayal during peak summer in search of food and water. They raid on crops grown in farmlands. Despite rains marking the end of summer, the elephants are still lured by jackfruits, with its season also starting around the time.

Villagers claim that the elephant menace continues to grow by the day and that they encounter them all through the year.