Sullia: The forest department of Kerala has come up with a unique SMS-based system to tackle elephant attacks in the border regions. As a few rogue elephants have been destroying property frequently, the new system will alert the villagers when elephant herds enter into their farms.
Through this system the villagers will get an early warning about the movement of the elephants in their farms. The most-affected areas of elephant attacks like Delampady, Pandi, Karadukka, Muliyar, Ariprod, Adkam, Chamundikunn, Ranipuram, Perudadi, Kallapally, Parappe and Malom will be getting this system on place. The officials have started collecting phone numbers of the farmers residing on the borders of the forest areas and the programme will be launched next month by the forest minister.
For the efficient functioning of the system, nodal officers of the forest department will be appointed in each division. A separate toll-free number will be given. The villagers in distress can call the toll-free number in case of elephant attacks. The nodal officer placed for the particular area must confirm the attack and then send SMSs to all the numbers which are registered under the division. The SMS system can warn the residents in advance and enable them to take necessary action.
Following the increased number of cases of man-elephant conflict, the system has been already launched in Wayanad, Aralam and Munnar and it has been successful.
Several areas in Sullia too affected
Several parts of Sullia taluk are affected by rogue elephant attacks. Mandekolu, Ajjavara, Aletti, Sampaje, Aranthodu, Todikana, Markanja, Subramanya, Harihara, Devachalla, Kollamogra areas have suffered huge loss due to elephant menace. Though trenches and electrified fences have been installed, they have not been very effective in tackling the menace, say locals.
