Leopard sighting, leaking huts: Tribal community in TVM alleges neglect by authorities

Palode: Residents of Venkittamoodu, an ‘unnathi’ (settlement) of tribal people inside the forest in Peringammala panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram district, are living in poor conditions after authorities neglect their basic needs. There are seven families in the settlement and politicians visit only during elections to make promises, which locals say have not been fulfilled.

A leopard has been sighted near the settlement, making trips out of the forest dangerous. Residents must carry patients 1.5 km through the forest to reach a vehicle-accessible spot. Schoolchildren walk the forest path to reach school vans. But steep inclines and forest streams make the route difficult, especially during heavy rains when rivulets flood.

Most dwellings are dilapidated huts with tarpaulin-covered roofs to keep out rainwater. Residents, including young children and the elderly, said they had previously coped with threats from elephants, bison, bears and wild boar but feel ill-equipped to face the recent appearance of a leopard. Locals reported the animal has preyed on a pet dog and a buffalo, and many are now reluctant to send children to school.

“Officials of the three-tier panchayat, elected representatives and departmental authorities have ignored us. We receive no assistance from the collectives of the ‘unnathi’ or the ‘Oorumoppan’ (head of the tribe),” one resident said.

Lakshmi(90), the settlement’s eldest resident, said she survives “only by fate”. “I suffer from several illnesses but manage to survive,” she added. “We have been demanding a proper road to the settlement for a long time, but nobody listens. The residents of Venkittamoodu share a close bond and we have the right to live. The authorities should not throw us to the wild animals. At least the young children should be spared from all this misery,” she said.