Campaign against provoking tusker (Idukki) Times of India January 20, 2023 The forest department will conduct a campaign by joining hands with NGOs in Munnar region against provoking wild tusker ‘Padayappa’. The tusker, which has made headlines for often trespassing into residential areas and disturbing traffic on the Munnar-Mattupetti route, is being provoked by some persons who chase the tusker on vehicles and honk at it. Forest department had slapped non-bailable charges against a person on Wednesday for provoking the tusker. The jeep used to provoke Padayappa was seized by forest officials and presented before Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Devikulam on Thursday. Owner and driver of the jeep Das, a resident of Kadalar, is still at large. Forest officials said he had gone into hiding in Tamil Nadu, and if he does not surrender, special permission will be sought from the local court to trace and arrest him. “We slapped non-bailable charges against him as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act as unnecessarily chasing or disturbing a wild animal can also be considered as hunting,” said Munnar range officer (RO) Arun Maharaj. He said Das, a minor construction contractor, was on his way in the jeep with some of his workers on Tuesday when he honked at Padayappa standing by the road in the Kadalar tea plantation. With the help of NGOs in the region, the forest department will conduct the campaign among tourist drivers and hoteliers against provoking the tusker. The RO also said the tusker had a peculiar behaviour as it hasn’t attacked humans or damaged shops or houses in the area. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/campaign-against-provoking-tusker/articleshow/97158467.cms?from=mdr