Kerala: Forest dept mulls jumbo sanctuary near Munnar

IDUKKI: To curb instances of man-animal conflicts and protect wild elephants, forest department is planning to set up the state's first elephant sanctuary in the Anayirankal-Chinnakanal area near Munnar.

The chief wildlife warden has sought a detailed report from Munnar divisional forest officer (DFO) on the issues faced by wild elephants in the area and the possibility of building the proposed sanctuary. Chinnakanal is plagued by frequent man-animal conflicts.

"The project is under the consideration of the department. Habitat loss of wild elephants is the main issue in Chinnakanal and Anayirankal. We are considering all possible ways to reduce man-animal conflicts in Anayirankal," said chief wildlife warden Surendrakumar, adding that there were several hurdles in setting up an elephant sanctuary in Anayirankal.

Munnar DFO Narendra Babu said that a team would study the issue and a report will be submitted to the chief wildlife warden soon. The plan is to set up a sanctuary across Anayirankal, Chinnakanal, 301 colony, ST colony and Vilakku within a 6sq km area, said forest officials.

"Hindustan Newsprint Ltd has over 386 hectares in Anayirankal and it would be used for the proposed project. In addition, 290 hectares of forestland would be used for the project," said a forest official.

According to officials, over 38 wild elephants are stranded in Anayirankal dam's catchment area. "If we set up the sanctuary, it will provide a natural habitat to them and thus prevent attacks in and around Munnar," said an official.

The AK Antony government in 2002-03 decided to sanction human settlements in Sinkukandam, 301 colony and 80acre areas. However, wild elephants remained isolated in Anayirankal. Since 2010, over 28 persons were killed by wild elephants under Munnar wild life division.

Recently, Munnar DFO had submitted a detailed proposal to the chief wildlife warden which said that government must relocate families to prevent the tusker menace in Chinnakanal and Munnar. "The proposal is under consideration of the department," said the chief wildlife warden.