Forest Minister Shibu Baby John instructed officials to act swiftly against elephants that pose an “active threat to human lives” in the Devikulam range, officials said.
High Range Circle Chief Conservator of Forests D. K. Vinod Kumar confirmed that the two identified animals will be relocated with the assistance of trained kumki elephants once those kumkis return from Aralam Farm in Kannur, where they are currently deployed to deter wild intrusions.
The Munnar Divisional Forest Officer will submit a formal proposal to the Chief Wildlife Warden, who will then issue the translocation order, according to Kumar.
In parallel, the department plans to petition Idukki District Collector to dismantle fences erected around cardamom plantations in Chinnakkanal, arguing that the barriers disrupt natural elephant corridors and exacerbate human‑wildlife conflict.
The move comes after a spate of deadly encounters in the area: Vijayan’s death on Wednesday marks the second fatal attack in a week and the fourth in four months, following the deaths of migrant labourer Shiv Kumar on September 17, farmer S. Ochappan on August 27, and resident Mari on June 8.
Chinnakkanal, once home to roughly 42 wild elephants, now supports about 18, a decline officials attribute to habitat fragmentation and increasing human settlement.
The region drew national attention in 2023 when the notorious tusker Arikompan was captured after raiding homes and ration shops, then moved to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and later to the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve after crossing state borders.