In response to rising human-wildlife conflicts, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed authorities to urgently implement special measures across areas identified as wildlife attack hotspots in the state.
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Vijayan on Thursday, held in the aftermath of a tragic elephant attack in the Aralam farm area of Kannur district, which recently claimed the lives of an elderly couple.
Addressing the seriousness of the issue, the Chief Minister instructed that primary response teams consisting of trained volunteers be immediately set up in 273 grama panchayats spanning 75 assembly constituencies. These areas have reported a notably high frequency of wildlife encounters, posing severe threats to human safety and livelihoods.
To streamline the response, a state-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary will convene to draft a comprehensive action plan. This blueprint will guide the district and regional committees in carrying out preventive and protective activities tailored to the unique challenges of each hotspot.
The meeting also discussed enhancing the current compensation schemes, particularly for crop damage and livestock losses resulting from wildlife attacks. Modern technological solutions will be strengthened and deployed strategically to prevent future incidents.
Further preventive measures outlined include better plantation management through the systematic removal of undergrowth to reduce wildlife hiding spots, ensuring year-round water availability within forest areas by constructing dams and ponds, and establishing designated eco-tourism zones as per the Centre's guidelines.
Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized that all necessary committees at state, district, and local levels must be operational by March 15. He stressed the importance of efficiency in addressing and mitigating the ongoing wildlife threat in affected regions.
Last updated by a enewsx: