Lack of rain leads to wild elephants camping in human habitations in Kerala’s Munnar
A severe rainfall deficit in Munnar has forced wild elephants to remain in human habitations and tea plantations in search of food and water. Forest officials report that the animals are failing to retreat into the deep forest as they normally would during the monsoon season.
Why it matters
Climate-induced habitat disruption increases human-wildlife conflict, posing risks to both local communities and endangered species.
Lack of rainfall is disrupting local wildlife in Munnar region. According to Forest department officials, poor monsoon rains in the hill station have led to wild elephants straying into human settlements in search of food and water.
The elephants typically retreat deep into the forest once the monsoon intensifies. However, this year, the herds have stayed near human habitations due to a scarcity of food and water deeper in the woods, said a senior forest official.
“In addition, the grass in the grasslands has become unpalatable for the elephants, driving them to set up camp in tea plantations. Most of Munnar’s tea estates border shola forests, and the availability of food across both ecosystems is keeping the elephants in the region,” the official said.
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