Velumani seeks translocation wild elephants, transfer of Coimbatore DFO

COIMBATORE: Former AIADMK minister S P Velumani submitted a petition to the Coimbatore district collector on Monday demanding translocation of wild elephants that have been straying into human habitats in the Thondamuthur area. Velumani submitted the petition in the wake of an elephant attack on a 92-year-old man in Vellimalai Pattinam near Narasipuram last week. The elderly man was injured in the attack.

Velumani also demanded that district forest officer N Jayaraj be transferred as “he has shown no regard for human life.”

Speaking to the media after submitting the petition, the former minister criticized the management of forest resources. He said funds for establishing forest boundaries were delayed. He said shortage of vehicles hindered proper monitoring.
He highlighted the lack of anti-poaching watchers in the district, which has resulted in insufficient patrolling.

He added, “Also, there are also not enough patrolling vehicles. No additional vehicles have been provided to the frontline staff since the DMK took charge. The existing vehicles are in poor condition, and forest officials are at risk of animal attacks due to this lack of maintenance.”

He said, “During the AIADMK regime, the elephant proof trench (EPT) effectively controlled the movement of wild elephants into human habitats. However, those EPTs have not been maintained well by the forest department.”

He said the response of the district forest officer to the frequent human-animal conflicts was inadequate. “He has shown no regard for human life. We sought transfer of this officer. If can’t be transferred, he should be directed to take appropriate actions,” he added.