Human-animal conflict has become a frequent affair in Valparai. The incidence of such conflicts increases year on year and especially during the summer it reaches its peak. Animals in search of food wander into the residential areas especially the ration shops and provisional stores that are located in Valparai.
Animal enthusiasts state that after establishment of tea estates, the animal corridors have been adversely affected. Left with no option the animals especially elephants wander around the place in search of their lost space and fodder.
Leading FMCG companies operating in India own huge tea estates in Valparai and the surrounding hills. The workers of these estates stay in the quarters provided to them by the estate owners which are often located inside the estates. Often these workers face the wrath of the elephants. It is said the elephant herd use the same paths again and again for many centuries. Hence, they find the new developments as obstacles and try to fight their path.
Elephants are known to be fond of sugar in particular. So the fair price shops becomes their easy targets. Elephants rampaging residences, restaurants, tea shops, petty shops, fair price shops and kitchen of government schools has become a day-to-day affair at Valparai.
The elephants camp in the surrounding areas of Valparai like Thaimudi, Nallamudi, Anaimudi, Etiyar inside the tea estates. As the forest department is not sufficiently staffed or equipped, chasing away these animals inside the forests is practically impossible. These incidents have instilled a fear of uncertainty amongst the estate workers.
Elephants trespassing into commercial and residential areas has become a common problem in Valparai. One such incident has been reported today. A herd of eight elephants attacked the house of Arun Govindh during the early hours of this morning.
Arun Govindh an advocate by profession, is a resident of Karumalai estate in Valparai. It has been reported that an elephant calf broke the kitchen door of his house and the entered the kitchen damaging all that was in its way. Other elephants in the herd broke the windows and damaged the gas stove, mixer grinder, wet grinder and other kitchen appliances stored in this home.
At the time of this incident, Arun Govind who was alone at the home, informed his neighbours and the forest department officials were alerted. Forest department officials drove the elephants into the forests with the help of the locals. Following repeated attacks of animals, the residents of this region continue to live in fear of the wild animals especially elephants.
Eye witness accounts share that the wild elephants are camping in the surrounding areas of Valaparai like Thaimudi, Nallamudim Anaimudi and Ettiyar.