Wildlife conflict prevention program

One of the biggest challenges facing Kerala is the human-wildlife conflict. Kerala is a state blessed with dense forests. Therefore, the number of wildlife living in these forests is also high. The number of people who make a living by farming in the hilly areas adjacent to the forests is much higher in Kerala than in other states. The hilly people of Kerala face two types of challenges from wildlife. The most frightening problem is the loss of life in wildlife attacks. The number of people who lose their lives in attacks by wild elephants, leopards, tigers, and wild boars in Wayanad and Idukki districts is increasing every year.

The locals blocking the roads with the bodies of those killed in wildlife attacks and blaming the forest department is a recurring occurrence in Kerala at least once a month. It is getting impossible to cultivate crops in areas adjacent to the forests due to the disturbance from wild elephants and wild boars. The farmers' hard work and agricultural wealth for a year will almost be lost if a herd of wild elephants leave the forest. The Forest Department has launched a high-intensity campaign related to wildlife conflict mitigation as a solution to the demand to prevent wildlife attacks with the help of modern technologies. Inaugurating the campaign, the Chief Minister said that there is no positive approach from the Central Government in preventing wildlife conflicts and easing measures.

The Centre has not accepted the Kerala State's demand to declare wild boars, which cause damage to agriculture, as vermin. The Chief Minister pointed out that although the state government has received permission to shoot dangerous wild animals, the procedures for doing so are very complicated. The forest department has now formulated plans to create natural habitats in the forest as part of solving this problem. The areas facing wildlife attacks will be divided into 12 zones, and different programs will be implemented in each zone. In addition, a law will be made to reduce wildlife-human conflict. There is wildlife disturbance in 400 panchayats. Of these, the situation is severe in 273 panchayats; very severe in 30.

As a first step, help desks will be set up in hill panchayats to resolve people's complaints. Wildlife disturbance can be reduced to a large extent if projects involving renovating water bodies and planting fruit trees to ensure that wildlife has water and food in the forest are implemented efficiently. Scientific action programs for wildlife birth control should also be implemented along with this. The decision of the Forest Department to expand the solar fence centres executed on an experimental basis to prevent wildlife from leaving the forest is commendable. Steps should be taken to quickly restore damaged solar fences as well. This challenge can be solved only through multi-faceted projects. The government should also ensure the cooperation of various departments, including KSEB, for this.