Seethathodu: The Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) has constituted a four-member team of watchers following the attacks by wild elephants on the ‘layams’ (workers’ quarters) at Gavi in Pathanamthitta. Officials also assured the plantation workers residing in the quarters that their demand for a fence would be considered favourably.

The team of watchers comprises KFDC workers Selvaraj, Alakaswamy, Arul and Sekhar, who receive protection from officers at Pachakanam Forest Station and KFDC authorities. Surveillance is carried out by the team at ‘layams’ where elephants are likely to appear during the night.

Meanwhile, the authorities have initiated procedures to install protective fences around the dwellings of the workers which suffered damage in attacks by wild elephants. The destruction was caused by an elephant herd, which included a mother elephant and her baby, on the rear side of four houses at a ‘layam’ near the dispensary at Gavi on Sunday night. Forest officers from Pachakanam station and KFDC authorities had forced the elephants back into the forest after a considerable effort.

Most of the KFDC workers’ quarters are located adjacent to the forest. Even though elephants regularly venture into the area from the forest, attacks on humans and property have been rare, said Forest Department officials.

“Gavi forest is noted for the presence of tigers, which could have scared the elephants out of the forest,” said a Forest officer.

“It could also be the reason for the elephant herd remaining behind the workers’ quarters for several hours,” he explained.