Cabinet sub panel allocates Rs 13 cr to Wayanad for wild animal nuisance

SULTHAN BATHERY: The cabinet sub-committee announced that Rs 13 crore has been allocated for emergency measures to the control wild animal nuisance in Wayanad. In the wake of the attacks, ministers K Rajan, MB Rajesh and AK Saseendran made this known after the all-party meeting and the review meeting of the people's representatives held at Bathery on Tuesday morning.

A people's committee will be formed to solve the wild animal problem. The members of the committee are Collector, Forest Nodal Officer, Local Department Head, District Police Chief, MLAs and eight representatives of political parties.

15 of the 27 decisions of the all-party meeting held on February 15 under the leadership of the Chief Minister were implemented. The main focus is to provide relief to the injured and the families of the dead and to prevent wild animal attacks. This will be implemented at the Additional Chief Secretary level. The government will bear the cost if the injured in wild animal attacks are taken to a private hospital outside the district for expert treatment.

"It is unfortunate that the meeting was boycotted by the opposition. We have come as per their request," the ministers said. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the forest department, district collector and people's representatives.

• The Centre will be asked to cut down the smaller trees in the forest by including it in the employment guarantee
• The possibility of trench construction will be examined
• Urgent action led by revenue, forest, local bodies and voluntary workers to eliminate plants like senna
• Control Centre combining Revenue, Police, Forest and Scheduled Tribes
• Ponds and dams will be constructed in the forest to restore the natural habitat.
• Strong action if resorts work in such a way as to attract wild animals