Some people attempting to make Forest Dept enemies of people; number of deaths being exaggerated, says Minister AK Saseendran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister AK Saseendran said that some centres are making covert attempts to make the Forest Department enemies of the people by exaggerating the figures of wildlife conflict deaths. The minister was speaking at the state-level inauguration of Vanamahotsavam-2024 organized by the State Forest Department at the Thiruvananthapuram Forest Headquarters.

"Misrepresentation of the activities of the Forest Department is harming the proper functioning of the Department. The forest department is of the stand that not a single person should die in a wild animal attack. Some people are spreading misunderstanding among people by exaggerating the figures of wildlife conflict deaths from 2016 to 2024. The fact that snakebite deaths outside of forests accounted for 573 of the 848 recorded deaths during this time is often hidden," the minister said.

"The government is committed to protecting the lives of people. Along with this, it also has to ensure the protection of forests and wildlife. The forest guards perform this work risking their own lives. However, their valuable service is often overlooked. This needs to change," he added.