The National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu and District Collector, Nilgiris on a complaint alleging that wild animals straying into the inhabited areas in the villages and towns near the forest areas of Nilgiris have been killing people and damaging crops without any protective measures by the concerned authorities.
They have been given eight weeks time to submit a report.
While issuing the notices, Justice D. Murugesan, Member, NHRC has observed that "the Commission can very well understand the miserable plight of the populace in the affected areas, living up with the dangers of attack by the wild animals. The authorities cannot afford to be mute spectators in such circumstances."
The complainant alleged that during the last three years, six persons were allegedly killed by tigers and 20 by wild elephants in the Ooty town area, Noolpusha, tea plantation at Bitherkkadu, Devarshole etc. but no action has been taken by the concerned Government officers.
Requesting for protection to the people and their crops from the wild animals, the complainant has also drawn attention towards the African countries, which have tried to provide big trenches and nets to prevent the entry of wild animals into the human areas.