Mangaluru: Senior citizen, Kenchappa Gowda (72) who spent 48 years of his lifetime in forest died following age related issues on Friday. He had been staying with his brother for the past one year after he stared facing age related health issues in thick forest.

Kenchappa was a resident of Markanja village of Kudanekodi near Sullia town of Dakshina Kannada. In an unexpected quick decision, he left his farming and started forest life by making small hut in Baledi reserve forest at the age 23. Tree holes, trees were his shelters during rainy season.

During his life in forest, he often used to visit his brother’s house for luncheon bringing forest products including firewood, fruits and others. The efforts made by his members of family, close relatives and government failed to bring back him into the mainstream of the society turned useless after Kenchappa rejected their requests for unknown reason.