A special rapid response team (RRT) will be set up at Chinnakkanal under the Devikulam forest range in Idukki, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has said. The Minister stated this when he visited a boy who was injured in a wild elephant attack in Chinnakkanal on June 8.

Speaking to the media at Chinnakkanal on Friday (June 26), Mr. John said that an additional, fully equipped RRT will be deployed in Chinnakkanal soon.

The Minister further noted that 18 wild elephants are currently camping in human habitations within Chinnakkanal. “The settlements in 301 Colony and large business establishments have blocked the natural elephant corridors in Chinnakkanal. The elephant issue is a grave concern for the people in this area, and the High Court has also observed that wild elephant paths are being blocked in various parts of the region. Tribal resettlement colonies and massive constructions on revenue land are obstructing the smooth movement of wild elephants,” he said.

“The Forest department is working on finding a permanent solution to this issue. We need to study the feasibility of installing solar fencing in densely populated areas to prevent animal attacks. The special RRT is being set up to ensure immediate security of residents,” the Minister said.

During his visit, the Minister met with Rakshan and Rekshina, the children of 36-year-old Mari, who was killed in a wild elephant attack on June 8.

Mari was trampled by a wild elephant at Singukandam near Chinnakkanal while she was on her way to drop her children off at school. Her son Rakshan was injured, and her daughter narrowly escaped.

Mr. John handed over two bicycles as gifts for the children. He announced that, in a first in the history of the Forest department, the department has adopted Mari’s family. The department will take full responsibility for the children until they turn 18. “The department has appointed a mentor to take care of the children. We will provide monthly rations and an allowance of ₹5,000 for other expenses. The department is also considering building a house for the children in the future. We plan to make this a model initiative for supporting families affected by such tragedies,” the Minister said.

Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, Devikulam MLA A. Raja, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) field director (Kottayam) P.P. Pramod, chief conservator of forests D.K. Vinod Kumar, Munnar wildlife warden K.V. Harikrishnan, and Munnar DFO Saju Varghese, among others, accompanied the Minister during the visit.