Even after the Forest department invested crores of rupees in building trenches, hanging fences and solar-powered electric fencing to keep wild animals at bay, residents of Kombukuthy, a forest fringe hamlet in Kottayam district, continue to live under the constant threat of elephant raids.The shortcomings of these measures came into sharp focus the other night when a wild elephant entered the Mulankunnam area of the village, leaving a trail of destruction through tapioca, plantain and coconut plantations before retreating into the forest. Although the animal ventured perilously close to residential areas, no casualties were reported. The incident has nevertheless deepened the sense of insecurity among residents, many of whom say stepping out after nightfall has become an ordeal.What has raised even greater concern, however, is how the elephant made its way into the settlement. According to residents, it crossed the trench dug by the department along the forest boundary.“The elephant entered the settlement through a shallow section of the trench by stepping on a rock inside it. It arrived at night, destroyed the crops and, when people chased it away by making noise and bursting crackers, it returned to the forest through the same route,” said Sukumaran, a local resident.The incident has also reignited questions over the effectiveness of the department’s wildlife mitigation works in the region. According to official estimates, ₹7.20 crore was spent on a wildlife mitigation project in the Poonjar Assembly constituency to curb increasing human wildlife conflict along the forest fringe including Kombukuthy. As part of the project, a 500-metre trench was constructed from Kannattu Kavala to Pannivettumpara in Kombukuthy at a cost of ₹13.6 lakh, while another one kilometre stretch through the Kombukuthy tribal settlement, one of the worst affected pockets, was built for ₹28.34 lakh.Irregularities allegedResidents, however, allege that the works, carried out during the previous LDF government’s tenure, were riddled with irregularities. They claim that despite the substantial public expenditure, the trenches, hanging fences and solar powered electric fencing have failed to provide the promised protection.According to the villagers, elephants now routinely breach the trenches and enter farms and residential areas. They also allege that the solar-powered electric fencing, installed at a cost of several lakhs of rupees, has fallen into disrepair at many locations due to poor maintenance, while the hanging fences have proved equally ineffective in preventing elephant intrusions.Responding to the concerns, Dileef B., Range Forest Officer, Erumely, said the department’s rapid response team rushed to the area after the elephant strayed into the settlement and successfully drove it back into the forest. ”The elephant has returned to the forest and the situation is under control. The electric fencing is fully functional now, and there is no immediate threat,” he said. Published - July 02, 2026 07:35 pm IST