For the past decade, a deeply troubling pattern has emerged in the Coonoor ghat region: elephants, increasingly driven by an unknown quest for food, are tragically falling from the perilous high cliffs that characterize the escarpment overlooking the Kallar corridor. Wildlife conservationists and experts are voicing profound concern, advocating for comprehensive research to pinpoint the exact factors compelling these magnificent animals to venture onto such dangerous Coonoor slopes, away from their traditional, safer habitats on flatter ground.
Official records from the Forest Department confirm this alarming trend, noting at least three elephant fatalities due to falls while attempting to navigate the challenging terrain in search of sustenance since 2023 alone.
S. Gowtham, the Divisional Forest Officer for Nilgiris, acknowledges a history of elephant mortalities from falls in Coonoor spanning over ten years. While he suggests these incidents might be coincidental, he readily admits they are undeniably a significant cause for concern.
“The ascent from Burliar, originating from the Kallar corridor, presents an extremely steep challenge for elephants,” Mr. Gowtham explains. He points out that the phenomenon of elephants ascending the Coonoor slopes is a relatively recent development, becoming a more common sight only within the last few decades.
N. Mohanraj, a respected Nilgiris-based conservationist, theorizes that increasing pressures on the traditional elephant habitats along the Kallar corridor could be forcing herds to climb higher up the slopes in search of food. This displacement significantly elevates their risk of suffering fatal falls. He cites another example of a herd that moved into the Geddai area after 2010. While elephant deaths due to falls are not unprecedented in the Western Ghats, Mr. Mohanraj emphasizes that the rising frequency of such incidents along the Coonoor ghat demands thorough investigation.
He further suggests that escalating human activities, continuous road expansion projects, heavy vehicular traffic, and disruptions to established elephant pathways might be pushing these animals onto more precarious terrain, thereby substantially increasing the danger to their lives.
Tarsh Thekaekara, another prominent researcher and conservationist from the Nilgiris, highlights extreme weather events and unpredictable rainfall as potential contributors to destabilizing the slopes, making traversal even more hazardous for the elephants. He stresses the urgent need for the government to invest in comprehensive research into elephant movement patterns and behavior. This is crucial, he argues, given the current limited understanding of how these animals are adapting to the myriad pressures they face.
“Unpredictable climate patterns, human disturbances, and other dynamic variables are fundamentally altering elephant behavior,” Mr. Thekaekara observes. “More dedicated research is critically needed to understand precisely how elephants are reacting and adapting their strategies to navigate these complex challenges.”
Addressing concerns regarding highway expansion along the Coonoor ghat, Mr. Gowtham confirms that the Forest Department has already identified 22 crucial elephant crossing points. He states that recommendations have been made to the Highways Department to install ramps wherever necessary to facilitate safer road crossings for elephants. “We are committed to continuously monitoring elephant movement in the area and diligently working to mitigate any pressures on these animals,” he assures.