At Pulakunnu in Wayanad, a man named Arumughan was trampled to death by a wild elephant. He was on his way home from work when the elephant killed him. It is said he didn’t even have time to scream.

There are only 18 houses in Pulakunnu. The people there live in constant fear. Wild elephants and other animals are always nearby. As evening falls, everyone checks on each other, asking, "Is everyone safe?" It's a routine just to ensure that everyone is still alive.

The government appoints guards for a sandalwood tree, but why is nothing being done to protect a human life? When Arumughan died, there were a lot of promises made—compensation of ten lakh rupees, a job for one family member, and so on. But after that, no one bothered to look back.

This is not the first death. No one knows when the next life will be lost. Seeing elephants in Pulakunnu is an everyday affair. Since the animals lack water and food in the forests, they stray into human settlements. But it is the poor villagers who suffer the consequences, isn’t it?

We don't need just words. We need a permanent solution. The forest department’s tranquilizer shots and the use of trained kumki elephants may offer temporary relief, but they are not permanent solutions.

Why can't the government create a comprehensive plan that protects both the forests and the people of Wayanad equally? To ensure that Arumughan’s life was not lost in vain, we need a government that wakes up and acts decisively.