“Salute To Unsung Heroes”: Kerala Foresters Hailed For Rescuing Tribal Children (image-X/

As rescue operations continue in landslide-hit Wayanad, a daring eight-hour operation by Kerala Forest Department officials to rescue a tribal family consisting of four toddlers and their parents has earned praise from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the whole of social media.

Undertaking a risky mission, led by Kalpetta Range Forest Officer K. Ashif, in the Attamala forest near Soochipara waterfall, the forest officials rescued the tribal family by climbing down ten-meter steep slopes using ropes in a dangerous trek that took over eight hours. Comprising of a four-member team, the forest officials trekked deep inside the forest confronting heavy rain and the wet and rocky terrain.

Read Also: Kerala Forest Officers Rescue Tribal Family Stranded In Wayanad Forest

Pictures of the brave men holding the toddlers, aged between one to four, have gone viral on social media with many applauding the Kerala forest officials for risking their lives to rescue the stranded family.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Their heroism reminds us that Kerala’s resilience shines brightest in the darkest times. United in hope, we will rebuild and emerge stronger.”

Six precious lives were saved from a remote tribal settlement after a tireless 8-hour operation by our courageous forest officials in landslide-hit Wayanad. Their heroism reminds us that Kerala’s resilience shines brightest in the darkest times. United in hope, we will rebuild… pic.twitter.com/kDXP26UBBS

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 2, 2024

An X user hailed the men and said, “Not all heroes wear capes,” while another wrote, “Salute to all unsung heroes.”

While engaging in relocating tribals in Erattakundu colony, the Kalpetta Range Forest Officer encountered a woman wandering in the Attamala forest in search of food. Two days later, they encountered the same woman who led them to her family who were stranded in a cave without food for the past five days.

Read Also: Major Sita Shelke: Face Of The Team Credited With Building Bailey Bridge In Wayanad

The forest officials immediately began a rescue mission. “At one point, when the rope was about to break, we risked our lives by dangling from the top of a tree to fix it. It took us another four and a half hours to complete the return journey,” Ashif told Onmanorama. Belonging to Wayanad’s Paniya community, the family has been taken to the Forest Department’s anti-poaching camp.

As the landslide-hit Wayanad district in Kerala undergoes its fifth day of rescue operations, several are still feared trapped under the debris. As per reports, the death toll has crossed the 340 mark, with nearly 250 people still missing.