By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, Feb 11, 2023: Getting killed by wild animals that enter human settlements is never acceptable, asserts the head of the Syro-Malabar Church as another person was trampled to death by an elephant in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
“One more life has been lost due to the failure of the responsible authorities to take effective measures to prevent wild animals from attacking human habitations,” laments Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, reacting to the killing of one Ajeesh Panachiyil on February 10 in Kerala’s Wayanad district by a radio-collared elephant translocated from neighboring Karnataka.
Soon after the 45-year-old man’s death, thousands of people came to the streets in Mananthavady, a major town in the district, and blocked the main road to Mysuru in Karnataka. They also stopped the vehicles of the district collector and top police officers for hours.
A press statement from the Church’s media commission on February 10 quoted Major Archbishop Thattil terming Ajeesh’s death as “a disgrace to Kerala.” The prelate pointed out that Ajeesh was trampled to death by the wild elephant as his family members and friends helplessly watched.
He demanded “exemplary action” against the defaulting officers.
The archbishop also demanded that the state government take the issue of wild animals seriously, in view of the increasing number of killings and destruction of crops.
“An approach that does not value human life over animal life does not belong to a civilized society,” the major archbishop said and regretted that the government still awaited special plans to ensure the safety of the people living in Kerala’s hilly areas.
Such an attitude is “indifference to the people and their legitimate demands,” he asserted.
Farmers unions in Kerala have called for a shut down on February 13.
Meanwhile, Bishop Jose Porunnedom of Mananthavady led the funeral service of Ajeesh on February 11 at St Alphonsa Church in Padamana. He is survived by his parents, wife and two children.
As many as 909 people were reportedly killed during 2016 to 2023 and 7,492 persons suffered injuries in man-animal conflicts and crops worth 684.3 million rupees were damaged in Kerala during the period. Aji was the second victim of wild elephant attack in Wayanad district this year.
The incidents of wild animals entering human settlements and even killing people have triggered strong protest from those living close to the forest areas across Kerala.
Apart from reasons like changes in forest vegetation, the scorching climate is also considered a reason for the recent man-animal conflicts as there could be water scarcity.