Akanksha Singh –
Published on: September 3, 2021, at 17:40 IST
A PIL, filed in the Kerala High Court regarding the frequent elephant attacks in the Malayatoor Forest areas by Vettampara Pourasamithy, was admitted on Friday .
The Division Bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly directed the Forest Department to record the statement on the action taken in this matter and produce the documents.
Pourasamithy was represented by Advocate P.B. Sahasranaman in the Court
The petitioner stated before the Court that many people residing near that area are getting effected by the elephants as the elephants enters the human settlement areas and destroys the crops and structures.
The Court observed that “This is a serious situation, immediate action had to be taken”
The petitioner submitted that the “Lack of boundary fencing and trenches as well as complete failure of electric fencing around Malayattoor forest area adversely affect Ernakulam district.”
The petitioner also alleged that the prescribed best practices for safeguarding the lives of people from elephant attacks were not properly implemented by the respondent. Thus it was argued that the people of the area, especially women and children were afraid to go out after dark.
Thus the PIL seeks the order to build a ditch or fence to prevent trespassing of elephants in the revenue property.
Also Read: Madras HC: It’s time to bring Elephants out of Captivity