Following the eviction of three tribal families from Kollimoola in the Begur region of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on November 24, the Forest Department has issued a detailed response, defending its actions and citing safety concerns as the primary reason. On Wednesday, November 27, Assistant Wildlife Warden Shibu Kuttan, in a letter to the Chief Wildlife Warden, explained that the decision to relocate the families was taken due to the increasing threat of wild animal attacks in the area where they resided.
The letter outlined the Department’s rationale, emphasising that the families were residing in makeshift shelters made of green nets and plastic sheets, which lacked the necessary protection against wildlife.
“They were instructed to relocate from the forest land, as living in makeshift huts covered with green nets and plastic sheets is unsafe. Upon revisiting the site a few days later, it was found that they were still residing there. Considering the ongoing risk of potential danger, they were once again requested to relocate to a safer area,” the officer said.
Shibu Kuttan explained that the families—Lakshmi, who owns a concrete house on forest rights land, and Meenakshi, who does not own land—were provided assistance to move their belongings and dismantle the unsafe sheds. While Lakshmi relocated to her partner's safer house, Meenakshi temporarily stayed with relatives as the Forest Department began constructing a new shed for her on allocated land.
“Upon approaching them again and discussing the matter, Meenakshi stated that she had no other place to go but was willing to relocate if another location was provided. Based on this, a piece of land was identified nearby, within the area allocated under the Forest Rights Act for tribal people. Meenakshi was informed of this, and the Forest Department, with her cooperation, agreed to dismantle the shed and relocate to the new site. Household items from the shed were moved with mutual assistance, and the shed was dismantled,” the officer stated.
According to the officer, the Department's efforts to ensure a smooth relocation were interrupted when political leaders and residents protested, demanding that the dismantled shed be rebuilt at its original location. The protest by various political parties, including Kalpetta MLA T Siddique, led to a blockade of the Tholpetty Range office and disruption of its functioning. Following discussions, it was agreed to proceed with constructing the sheds on forest rights land, as per the residents’ choice.
In the aftermath of the protest, Bavali Section Forest Officer T Krishnan was suspended, a decision that has drawn criticism from within the Department. Assistant Wildlife Warden Shibu Kuttan in his letter appealed against punitive action, citing Krishnan’s tribal status and his ongoing cancer treatment.
The Kerala Forest Protective Staff Association also condemned the controversy, asserting that forest officials were being unfairly targeted despite their efforts to prioritise the welfare of forest-dependent communities. “Temporary shelters are being constructed on forest rights land as per agreements with the families. We will not tolerate any attempts to vilify staff working closely with tribal populations,” the association stated.