In a heartbreaking incident that underscores the growing human-wildlife conflict in Karnataka, two individuals lost their lives after being trampled by a wild elephant in the Kudremukh region. The tragic event occurred on Tuesday, leaving the local community in shock and raising serious questions about rehabilitation efforts for those living in elephant corridors.
The Fateful Night
The victims, identified as Chand Pasha (55) and Riyaz (32), were residents of Ambalagere village near Kudremukh National Park. According to forest officials, the attack occurred around 8:30 PM when the two men were outside their homes. A lone wild elephant emerged from the nearby forest and charged without warning, leaving both men with fatal injuries.
Long Wait for Rehabilitation Turns Tragic
What makes this incident particularly poignant is that both victims were among the families officially identified for rehabilitation from the area. They had been waiting for government assistance to relocate from the high-conflict zone to safer locations.
"This is the saddest part of the story," a forest department official revealed. "These families had been documented for rehabilitation, but the process was ongoing. Now, two of them will never see their new homes."
Immediate Response and Compensation
Forest department personnel rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident. The bodies were sent for postmortem to the government hospital in Karkala.
The department has announced compensation of ₹15 lakh each for the families of the deceased. Additionally, they have promised to expedite the rehabilitation process for the remaining families in the area to prevent similar tragedies.
Growing Human-Wildlife Conflict
This incident highlights the escalating human-elephant conflict in the Western Ghats region. Kudremukh, known for its rich biodiversity and elephant population, has witnessed increasing encounters between humans and elephants as habitat fragmentation continues.
Local residents have been demanding faster rehabilitation processes and better protection measures. "We have been living in constant fear," shared a neighbor of the victims. "Elephants regularly come near our homes, especially during night hours. The government needs to speed up the rehabilitation process before more lives are lost."
Forest Department's Action Plan
In response to the tragedy, forest officials have intensified patrols in the area and are implementing additional measures:
- Increased vigil during evening and early morning hours
- Installation of early warning systems
- Accelerated processing of rehabilitation applications
- Community awareness programs about elephant behavior
The Kudremukh region, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Western Ghats, is home to approximately 120-150 elephants. As human settlements expand into traditional elephant corridors, such conflicts have become increasingly common, creating urgent challenges for both conservation and human safety.
