The Forest department will form a special rapid response team (RRT) under the Kottayam forest division to address the wild elephant menace under the Murinjapuzha forest section in Idukki.
Kottayam divisional forest officer (DFO) N. Rajesh said on Tuesday that the special RRT team would be formed under the Murinjapuzha forest section soon to prevent the entry of wild elephants into human habitations from Mathampa to Peerumade areas in Idukki. “Forming a full-time RRT under the Murinjapuzha forest section is the only possible way to prevent wild animal attacks under the section. A proposal has already been submitted to the Chief Wildlife Warden in this regard,” said Mr. Rajesh.
“In addition, a proposal has been submitted seeking National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) funds for fixing a 10-km-long hanging solar fencing under the Murinjapuzha forest section. The hanging solar fencing will help prevent entry of wild elephants from the border forests to human habitations,” said Mr. Rajesh.
