In Coimbatore, farmers are shocked after a report from the Forest Department identifying elephant corridors on their lands was released. A collective dispute was voiced at a meeting at the Race Course Javans Pavilion.
Coimbatore: A recent announcement by the Forest Department has caused widespread dismay among the farming community in Coimbatore. According to the department's report, numerous agricultural lands in the district are now designated as elephant corridors, sparking significant unrest among local farmers.
During a press meet at the Race Course Jawans Pavilion, the head of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, Su. Palanisamy, articulated the farmers' frustration. The report, released over 161 pages in English, maps out these corridors without substantial consultations with the affected communities, leading to a language barrier issue as well. Concerns were raised about the lack of Tamil translations of critical governmental communications, especially at a time when the state government advocates for Tamil usage in official documents.
Furthermore, the report, prepared in anticipation of future developments, identifies 42 potential corridors throughout the state—a finding the farmers vehemently reject. Palanisamy also highlighted several local areas like Mettupalayam, Sirumugai, Karamadai, Pooluvampatti, and Periyanayakanpalayam, where over 520 acres have been earmarked for these corridors. This unilateral decision, he argued, overlooks the voices and rights of local farming and tribal communities.
Adding to their woes, accidental train hits in regions such as Madhukkarai where existing rail tracks traverse the proposed elephant paths have led to over 40 elephant deaths so far. Farmers suggest that, similar to containment strategies for wild boars in Kerala using rubber pellets, similar measures should be employed in Tamil Nadu to manage wildlife intrusion into farmlands.
The Farmers Association strongly urges a re-evaluation of the declared elephant corridors in 557 villages of which 57 are in Coimbatore district and demands that the Forest Department provide a five-day window to review and respond to circulars which are deemed unreasonable within the current stipulations.
During a press meet at the Race Course Jawans Pavilion, the head of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, Su. Palanisamy, articulated the farmers' frustration. The report, released over 161 pages in English, maps out these corridors without substantial consultations with the affected communities, leading to a language barrier issue as well. Concerns were raised about the lack of Tamil translations of critical governmental communications, especially at a time when the state government advocates for Tamil usage in official documents.
Furthermore, the report, prepared in anticipation of future developments, identifies 42 potential corridors throughout the state—a finding the farmers vehemently reject. Palanisamy also highlighted several local areas like Mettupalayam, Sirumugai, Karamadai, Pooluvampatti, and Periyanayakanpalayam, where over 520 acres have been earmarked for these corridors. This unilateral decision, he argued, overlooks the voices and rights of local farming and tribal communities.
Adding to their woes, accidental train hits in regions such as Madhukkarai where existing rail tracks traverse the proposed elephant paths have led to over 40 elephant deaths so far. Farmers suggest that, similar to containment strategies for wild boars in Kerala using rubber pellets, similar measures should be employed in Tamil Nadu to manage wildlife intrusion into farmlands.
The Farmers Association strongly urges a re-evaluation of the declared elephant corridors in 557 villages of which 57 are in Coimbatore district and demands that the Forest Department provide a five-day window to review and respond to circulars which are deemed unreasonable within the current stipulations.