Special RRT to become operational at Chinnakkanal within a week

A new special Rapid Response Team (RRT) will become operational at Chinnakkanal, under the Devikulam Forest Range, within a week. Keralam Forest Minister Shibu Baby John announced the unit’s formation during his June visit, following the death of Mari, a 36-year-old woman killed in a wild elephant attack at Chinnakkanal on June 8. In line with the announcement, the Forest department redeployed personnel from various offices to establish the new team.

Devikulam Range Officer Arun Kumar E.D. said the special RRT comprises a deputy range officer, two section forest officers, four beat forest officers, and four beat forest assistants. “In addition, a 14-member team of temporary RRT watchers will also be part of the unit. The RRT will be fully operational within a week,” the official said.

Chinnakkanal is considered one of the major hotspots for human-wildlife conflict in the region. Around 17 wild elephants inhabit the area. The loss of forest connectivity frequently forces the animals into human habitations and farmlands, resulting in casualties, injuries, and crop damage.

In the past three months, two people have lost their lives to elephant attacks in the area. On June 8, Mari was trampled to death and her 11-year-old son was injured in Chinnakkanal. On August 27, S. Ochappan, a 68-year-old farmer from Bodinayakanur, was killed at Thalakkulam near Pooppara. Forest officials expect the dedicated RRT to help curb the rising number of human-wildlife conflict incidents across the belt.