A newborn belonging to a Cholanaikkan couple living in the deep forest of Nilambur died apparently of malnutrition on Sunday night. The mother is in a critical condition at Government District Hospital, Nilambur.
Asha, wife of Kethan from Kuppumala tribal settlement deep inside the forest in Karulai range, said she had not got any treatment or nutrition support from the authorities, including the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) and the Health department, since she conceived over eight months ago.
After Asha developed pain on Saturday morning, she left her home in the jungle and began a walk towards a hospital many kilometers away. On seeing an elephant herd on the way in the evening, she took shelter behind a large rock in the river and spent the night there. She resumed her journey on Sunday morning and reached Sayivila by afternoon. From there, with the help of a few men, Asha was carried to Government District Hospital at Nilambur.
