Human-wildlife conflict: Follow-up steps dragging on

KOCHI: Although two months have passed since the human-wildlife conflict was declared a state calamity, the follow-up process is dragging on. Even the medical costs of those who suffered injuries even after the announcement were not borne by the government citing the moral code of conduct.

It was the cabinet meeting held on March 6 that declared the human-wildlife conflict as a 'State Specific Disaster'. Since then, 3 people have died in wild animal attacks. 12 people, including an 8-year-old student and his parents of a family, were injured. With this, there have been 11 deaths due to wild animal attacks this year.

Many people, including Kumily native Rajeev, who was seriously injured in the attack by the wild buffalo on March 29, are undergoing treatment in hospitals. Although it was announced that the government would bear their medical expenses, it was not implemented because of the moral code of conduct.

Out of the 20 action plans announced for disaster management, only department-level data collection has been done. The authorities have not taken any action to provide messages to the people living in the wildlife conflict zone through WhatsApp groups.