CAG report punches holes in Kerala’s human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies
CAG report punches holes in Kerala’s human-wildlife conflict mitigation
strategies
Dileep V Kumar, South First
July 16, 2024
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has come down heavily on the
Kerala government’s efforts to tackle the growing issue of human-wildlife
conflict (HWC).
The report, ‘Compliance Audit Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2022’,
exposed loopholes in the state’s current strategies.
The CAG audit, conducted from July to December 2021 and May to November
2022 covered the period from 2017-18 to 2021-22. It highlighted critical
lapses in the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department’s management of
wildlife habitats.
CAG Findings
The CAG observed that the department has failed to prevent the diversion of
forest land for non-forestry purposes, leading to the shrinkage of wild
animal habitats. It also noted inadequate safeguards against encroachment
and unplanned development projects further constricting wildlife corridors.
The report criticised the department’s efforts to maintain wildlife
habitats. Concerns raised included securing elephant corridors, removing
invasive species, and ensuring sufficient animal food and water
availability.
The failures, the CAG report said, were major contributors to the rise in
HWC incidents across the state.
The audit found that lapses in constructing and maintaining preventive
structures such as fences and trenches allowed wild animals to stray into
human settlements.
The report, which called for improved wildlife population management
strategies, highlighted the inadequacies in radio-collar tracking and SMS
alert systems designed to warn residents of approaching wild animals,
compromised safety.
The CAG also pulled up the department for the delays in compensating HWC
victims, irregular claim approvals, and the lack of proper rehabilitation
support, adding to the grievances.
A lack of a unified approach was hindering the effectiveness of HWC
mitigation measures. It emphasized the need for better coordination between
the Forest Department and other stakeholders like Local Self- Governments
(LSGs), the Agriculture Department, and the Revenue Department.
The CAG had rested these audit findings under four categories, viz.,
management of wildlife habitats, preventive and mitigative measures,
post-HWC measures, and coordination with all stakeholders.
Mum on Three Projects
Though the CAG cited three projects “which adversely impacted or have
potential to adversely impact the HWC situation in the state”, the Forest
Department remained mum on it.
Meanwhile, the government acknowledged the destruction of elephant
corridors due to unplanned development, though it remained silent on the
said projects.
The projects were:
– Construction of an NCC airstrip adjacent to the Periyar Tiger
Reserve
– Setting up of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in
Palakkad
– Rehabilitation of landless tribals at Aralam Farm in Kannur
In the case of the first project, it was said that the airstrip would
affect the soundscape of the area, rich in biodiversity including flagship
species such as elephants and tigers, which would further increase the HWCs.
Jumbo Visitors
In the second case, the land earmarked for the IIT campus included 18.14
hectares of vested forest land, which had an elephant presence and was part
of the Nilambur elephant reserve. Consequently, elephant herds stray onto
the campus frequently. Thus, the location of the project might influence
HWC.
Whereas in the third, the Aralam Farm having an extent of 7,000 acres of
prime forest had been converted into the Central State Farm to promote
agriculture in the region.
Out of this, a total of 3,375 acres adjacent to the Aralam Wildlife
Sanctuary was distributed to 1,500 tribal families by the state government.
The tribal families residing in the region have been constantly troubled
due to elephant raids. About 40 wild elephants were reported to spend most
of their time within the farmland and it has become their habitat.
During 2014-22, 13 people were killed in elephant attacks.
Crucial Element Missing
Adding to the concerns raised in the CAG report, a crucial element seemed
absent from Kerala’s wildlife management strategy: Carrying capacity
studies.
These studies determine the maximum number of animals a particular habitat
could support based on available resources like food, water, and shelter.
Without this vital information, wildlife officials were essentially flying
blind.
The lack of carrying capacity assessments makes it impossible to gauge if
animal populations were exceeding sustainable limits, potentially
contributing to resource scarcity and increased human-wildlife conflict.
Though solar/electric fences were considered to be one of the effective
methods to prevent the intrusion of wild animals into human habitats, the
state’s attempts to curb human-wildlife conflict through it seemed to have
backfired, the audit report noted.
The report revealed that fences installed by the Forest Department lacked
proper approvals and specifications.
It highlighted that a total of 223 wild animals were electrocuted due to
electric fences during 2017-22. This included 17 elephants, which was 49
percent of the total unnatural elephant deaths.
Ironically, out of this, one occurred at a solar fence installed by the
Forest Department in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
The report observed that the department had no control over private
electric fences, raising concerns about their safety and impact on wildlife
movement. It reminded that both government and unregulated fences were
disrupting established animal corridors, hindering their natural movement
patterns.
The Forest Department acknowledged the problem and admitted that private
parties rarely sought guidance before installing fences.
With human-wildlife conflicts on the rise, the CAG reports reminded the
authorities concerned that a comprehensive and well-coordinated strategy
was urgently needed to safeguard both human lives and wildlife populations.