Guruvayur: The District Collector has been receiving a spate of complaints, not over traffic or noise, but elephant dung. The problem stems from the road stretching between Punnathur Kotta, the famed elephant sanctuary under the Guruvayur Devaswom and Guruvayur town. Droppings from the temple elephants have turned into a real hazard, especially for motorcyclists. Several accidents have been reported after riders skidded on elephant dung lying on the road.

Raising concern over this recurring issue, the Kaaveed Cultural Collective and the Kaaveed Representatives Collective organised a signature campaign demanding action. The campaign was inaugurated online by actor Shivaji Guruvayur, with Shajan Kaaveedu presiding. Speakers included Jaison Guruvayur, Jofi Jose, Johnson Jacob, A C Thilakan and T G Shajan, among others.

Last monsoon, when such accidents became frequent, Manorama had published a detailed report highlighting the risks. Following this, municipal chairperson M Krishnadas urged the Devaswom Administrator to initiate action. The Devaswom Board subsequently instructed mahouts to promptly clear elephant droppings from the road and shift them to the roadside.

Though this measure was successfully implemented at the time, the practice gradually fizzled out. Just a week ago, the municipal chairperson issued a formal letter to the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, highlighting this issue.