Kerala govt to breed elephant-repelling bees to curb wild jumbo attacks,
says CM Vijayan
Devdiscourse
March 14, 2024
The Kerala government on Thursday emphasised its commitment to addressing
the issue of attacks by wild animals, particularly elephants, in the state
and announced that it would take innovative steps such as breeding special
bees that repel the jumbos.
This was announced by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a press
conference here.
Vijayan said that due to the increase in temperatures, wild animals are
foraying into human habitats in search of food and water, leading to
attacks on people and the destruction of crops.
He said that guidelines were recently issued to prevent human-wildlife
conflict and a high-level meeting was held today to review steps taken by
the government so far.
The measures taken include breeding a special type of bee that repels
elephants, ensuring adequate water for animals in the forest areas prone to
human-wildlife conflict, setting up a 24-hour state-level control room at
the forest department headquarters and starting emergency operation centres
in 36 forest divisions, he said.
However, the CM pointed out one potential problem with the
elephant-repelling bees: they are said to attract bears. Therefore, they
will have to be bred where there is no bear population, the CM said at the
press conference here.
Other measures taken by the government are forming Whatsapp groups to alert
people in vulnerable areas, deploying 900 watchers, as required, in areas
known for human-wildlife conflict and removing undergrowth from 66
plantations in Wayanad district of the state, he said.
Besides these, steps have also been taken for procurement of 64 pump action
guns, two tranquiliser guns and four drones and strengthening public
awareness committees at the panchayat level.
The CM also said that of the Rs 13.70 crore to be paid as compensation to
the victims of wildlife attacks, Rs 6.45 crore has been disbursed so far
and distribution of the remaining Rs 7.26 crore is in progress.
The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has also prepared a
draft proposal of Rs 110 crore for mitigation of human-wildlife conflict,
he said.
This is in addition to the Rs 100 crore already sanctioned by the KIIFB for
the same purpose, he added.
There is also a proposal for setting up a committee comprising
international and national experts to submit long-term and short-term plans
to mitigate animal attacks, Vijayan said.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/2859053-kerala-govt-to-breed-elephant-repelling-bees-to-curb-wild-jumbo-attacks-says-cm-vijayan
Kerala govt to breed elephant-repelling bees to curb wild jumbo attacks,
says CM Vijayan
Devdiscourse
March 14, 2024
The Kerala government on Thursday emphasised its commitment to addressing
the issue of attacks by wild animals, particularly elephants, in the state
and announced that it would take innovative steps such as breeding special
bees that repel the jumbos.
This was announced by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a press
conference here.
Vijayan said that due to the increase in temperatures, wild animals are
foraying into human habitats in search of food and water, leading to
attacks on people and the destruction of crops.
He said that guidelines were recently issued to prevent human-wildlife
conflict and a high-level meeting was held today to review steps taken by
the government so far.
The measures taken include breeding a special type of bee that repels
elephants, ensuring adequate water for animals in the forest areas prone to
human-wildlife conflict, setting up a 24-hour state-level control room at
the forest department headquarters and starting emergency operation centres
in 36 forest divisions, he said.
However, the CM pointed out one potential problem with the
elephant-repelling bees: they are said to attract bears. Therefore, they
will have to be bred where there is no bear population, the CM said at the
press conference here.
Other measures taken by the government are forming Whatsapp groups to alert
people in vulnerable areas, deploying 900 watchers, as required, in areas
known for human-wildlife conflict and removing undergrowth from 66
plantations in Wayanad district of the state, he said.
Besides these, steps have also been taken for procurement of 64 pump action
guns, two tranquiliser guns and four drones and strengthening public
awareness committees at the panchayat level.
The CM also said that of the Rs 13.70 crore to be paid as compensation to
the victims of wildlife attacks, Rs 6.45 crore has been disbursed so far
and distribution of the remaining Rs 7.26 crore is in progress.
The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has also prepared a
draft proposal of Rs 110 crore for mitigation of human-wildlife conflict,
he said.
This is in addition to the Rs 100 crore already sanctioned by the KIIFB for
the same purpose, he added.
There is also a proposal for setting up a committee comprising
international and national experts to submit long-term and short-term plans
to mitigate animal attacks, Vijayan said.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/2859053-kerala-govt-to-breed-elephant-repelling-bees-to-curb-wild-jumbo-attacks-says-cm-vijayan