Students from Pacchedoddi village, located on the edge of the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district, are facing severe hardships every day as they walk nearly 14 km to attend school. With no proper road connectivity or public transport, over 30 schoolchildren undertake the daily journey through a forested stretch where wild elephants, tigers, and leopards are frequently sighted.
Students walk through wildlife zone to reach school
The children walk 7 km from Pacchedoddi to Ajjipur each morning and return by the same forest route in the evening. Their path is marked by encounters with wild animals, including elephants, which villagers say is a common and frightening experience. Poor road conditions add to the difficulty, making the journey exhausting and unsafe.
Students say the long walk is affecting their health and academics. “Is it possible to study when we’re so tired from walking?” they asked in their letter to the authorities.
Appeal to Chief Minister for road and bus service
Concerned about their safety and future, the students have written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, appealing for a bus service and the construction of a proper road to their village. They highlighted the daily risks they face and sought urgent intervention to prevent any tragic incidents.
Villagers say that while the area falls close to a protected forest zone, transport facilities remain inadequate despite repeated appeals. Women and other residents, too, are forced to walk long distances to access basic amenities such as healthcare, markets, and government offices.
Discontinued jeep service worsens hardship
In earlier years, the Forest Department had arranged a jeep service for students and villagers, offering temporary relief. However, the service has since been discontinued, leaving residents with no reliable means of transport.
The community has now appealed collectively to the district administration, the Forest Department, and the state government to restore mobility solutions and ensure the safety of school-going children.
Villagers hope for government intervention
Residents of Pacchedoddi and nearby hamlets say that improving road connectivity is essential not only for education but also for healthcare access, livelihood activities, and emergency needs. They urged authorities to recognise the vulnerability of forest-border villages and prioritise basic infrastructure.
The villagers hope that their plea will draw swift attention and that the government will implement sustainable transport measures to relieve the daily struggles of the students and broader community.