Kerala plantation work halted after dusk as elephant attacks surge

The Idukki District Collector has issued a directive prohibiting plantation operations during evening and night hours in response to escalating attacks by wild elephants in the district. The order comes as workers in agricultural areas face heightened danger from jumbos venturing out of forest reserves into cultivated zones.

The decision to restrict work after dusk is part of a broader effort to minimize human-wildlife encounters during peak elephant activity hours. Plantation owners and workers have been advised to cease operations and vacate work sites before sunset to reduce the risk of fatal or serious injuries.

Kerala's Idukki district, home to extensive cardamom and spice plantations, lies on the periphery of key wildlife habitats. In recent months, the region has experienced increased instances of elephants straying into agricultural areas, leading to property damage and threatening worker safety. Wildlife officials attribute the incursions to habitat fragmentation and seasonal food scarcity in forest areas.

The administration has also directed relevant authorities to strengthen vigilance and early warning mechanisms to alert plantation workers of elephant presence. Additionally, measures are being explored to create barriers and implement wildlife management strategies to prevent further human-animal conflict in the district's agricultural zones.