Farmers of Denkanikottai in Tamil Nadu demand solutions to prevent negative human-elephant interactions

Protesters in Denkanikottai demand more forest staff and higher compensation for crop raids and human casualties by elephants.

Farmers and residents of Denkanikottai staged a protest demonstration outside the taluk office in protest against the crop raids and human casualties caused by elephant encounters here on Monday.

V.K. Ganesan of Tamilzhaga Vivasayigal Paadhukaapu Sangam, told mediapersons that given the extent of the forest area in the problematic ranges of Thally and Denkanikottai, the Forest Department was understaffed to deal with the migratory elephant herds.

“Denkanikottai ranges needs to be further bifurcated and more watchers should work to prevent casualties,” he added.

Irrespective of the cost of production for crop, standard compensation of ₹25,000 is being issued by the Forest Department, the protesters claimed. The cost of production varied from crop to crop per acre. Even the contested compensation of ₹25,000 was not being issued in full, and often the compensation is piece meal, the protesters alleged. “Cost of production of ragi was different from sugarcane, and the costs are different for beans and other crops. Even that amount was not being given in full, and only portions of the compensation was being issued,” said Mr.Ganesan.

The fences that are being erected in Jawalagiri range to prevent elephant crossings from the forest must be extended, the farmers said.

According to the protesters, 16 human casualties were reported last year and this year, there were already two casualties. The protesters also alleged a complete halt to normal life, wherein the residents of villages are unable to go out for field work, or send their wards to schools for the fear of elephant attacks.

The protests that were announced earlier, was also staged in the immediate aftermath of a human casualty that was reported in Rayakottai on Monday. A dailywage labourer, Muniappan, was found trampled to death by an elephant in Rayakottai. According to the sources, the victim was on his way to work on the fields, when he was killed by an elephant. His body was retrieved by the locals.