Coffee Grower Fatally Attacked by Wild Elephant in Kodagu, Villagers Protest
In a tragic incident that has reignited concerns over human-elephant conflicts, a coffee grower was killed in a wild elephant attack in Kakooru village near Srimangala, Kodagu, on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Mookalamada Rattu, aged 52, was on his way to his coffee estate early in the morning when the elephant attacked him inside a plantation.
Protest Erupts Over Forest Department's Inaction
As news of Rattu's death spread, residents from Srimangala and nearby areas gathered at the Kutta Government Hospital, where he was rushed but succumbed to his injuries. The villagers staged a protest, holding the forest department responsible for failing to prevent repeated elephant incursions into human settlements. They expressed deep anger over the escalating human-elephant conflict in the region, which has become a persistent threat to local communities.
Compensation Demands and Negotiations
During the protest, villagers demanded Rs 50 lakh as compensation for Rattu's family and refused to allow the post-mortem unless the amount was paid immediately. Forest officials, including DCF (Virajpet) Jagannath, arrived at the hospital to hold talks with the protesters. While officials emphasized that government procedures had to be followed, the protesters insisted on on-the-spot payment.
After intense negotiations, the forest department handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh as the first instalment of the compensation. Officials assured that the remaining amount would be transferred to the family's bank account within a week. Following this agreement, the post-mortem was conducted, and Rattu's body was later handed over to his family. He is survived by his wife and son.
Forest Department's Response and Future Measures
In response to the incident, forest officials launched an operation in the afternoon to drive the elephant back into the forest. Approximately 60 personnel from Thithimathi, Ponnampet, and Srimangala were deployed for this task. Additionally, officials stated that steps would be taken to address the villagers' demands, including the construction of a railway barricade to prevent future elephant incursions.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in Kodagu due to human-wildlife conflicts, underscoring the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies and prompt government action to ensure safety and compensation for affected families.
