Rapid response staff (RRT) members in entrance of the kumki elephant camp at Chinnakkanal in Idukki.
| Photo Credit: JOMON PAMPAVALLEY
The delay in capturing a wild elephant, regionally often known as Arikompan, is inflicting sleepless nights for the speedy response staff (RRT) members at Chinnakkanal in Idukki. According to sources, the RRT members have been “overworked” for the previous month.
The 16-member staff tenting at Chinnakkanal, comprising a bit forest officer (SFO), a grade (SFO) officer, a beat forest officer (BFO), a reserve forest watcher (RFW), eight day by day wages elephant watchers and 4 day by day wages hearth watchers, have been initially deployed to thrust back wild elephants from human habitations. However, Arikompan’s presence has precipitated the RRT members to “suffer from overwork.”
“The team members report timely movements of wild elephants in the Chinnakkanal region and chase them away from human habitations. They also ensure the protection of kumki elephants when Arikompan tries to attack them,” stated a supply.
“Eight elephant watchers were mainly engaged in chasing away wild elephants and ensuring the protection of the kumki elephants. Since the inception of the mission, most of the RRT members have been on duty 24 hours a day. Currently, Arikompan, Chakkakompan, Murivalankompan and other wild elephants are camping under the Chinnakkanal forest section. Most nights, tuskers reach human habitations, and the RRT team has to chase them away. In emergency situations, the team seeks assistance from the Munnar RRT team,” the supply added.
“The delay in completing the mission is causing sleepless nights for the RRT team and higher officials. If the mission is completed, the kumki elephants can be brought back and thus attacks from Arikompan can be avoided,” stated the supply.
The mahouts of the kumki elephants from the Muthanga elephant camp are additionally reportedly affected by the delay in the mission to seize Arikompan. “The mahouts reached Chinnakkanal expecting to complete the mission in one week. But due to the delay, they have not yet been able to return home,” stated the supply.
A senior Forest division official stated the delay is placing them too in misery. “Most of the officials are not getting proper leave or weekly off due to the delay,” the official stated.
