Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (MS)

Sullia, Oct 28: Kenchappa Gowda (72), who opted to live in jungle for 48 years died on Friday, October 27.

Kenchappa hailed from Markanja village of Kudanekodi.

Kenchappa had left his house at the age of 23 and was living in Baledi Reserve Forest since that time. He had been to his brother's house a year back due to age-related illness.

Kenchappa was an agriculturist before he opted to live in the jungle all of a sudden. He had made a thatched roof that was surrounded by stone fence for protection. He used to sleep on makeshift cot made of bamboo and bed made of sheets of areca nut tree. During heavy rains, he used to live inside the burrow on the tree.

Though he lived in thick forest, he used to bring wood and leaf manure to his brother Chinnappa's house once a day and have food. Rest of the time he used to feed on roots and vegetables that were available in the forest.

When the wild animals came to attack him, Kenchappa used to climb the tree and scare them away by making loud noise. During the 48 years he lived in the forest, only twice he came under the attack of wild animals including the stamping by an elephant.

A B Ibrahim, former district commissioner had tried to bring Kenchappa to the mainstream of the society. Taluk revenue officials also met him in the forest but he did not heed their request. On the contrary, he used to greet them by offering honey and roots in the forest. The life of Kenchappa, who was mild spoken and did not harm the forest or the public, is an enigma for the general public.