Couple carry on fight to save Toda buffalo

A couple has been carrying on a more than three decade long fight to save 'Toda buffalo,' facing extinction due to evil practice of sacrificing them after death of head of a family or any other prominent member.
Unique to Nilgiris district, the Toda buffalo has dwindled alarmingly from about over 50,000 some three decades ago to just around 2,000 now.
"Such was the superstition that prevailed decades ago, that considering the prominence and respect veiled by a member of the community, the number of sacrifices of buffaloes was more, ranging from 10 to 50, in the belief that the animals could lead the departed soul to heaven," Pothalli Kuttan told PTI.

Kuttan and Vasamalli, the first graduate from Toda community, decided way back in 1977 to create awareness among the Toda community, a native group in the district, on the need to preserve the buffaloes, considered by them as a god sent gift.
Vasamalli said they started Toda Seva Sanmarga Sangham to create awareness and became victims of attacks, were barred from entering the villages and even survived an attempt to burn them alive by dousing them with petrol.
Not losing heart, they continued their campaign and managed to rope in the younger generation in their fight to preserve the buffalo, she said.