Fatal wild elephant attacks in Kerala raise fresh concerns over human-wildlife conflict management The Hindu February 11, 2025 Two back-to-back fatal wild elephant attacks in Idukki and Wayanad districts in Kerala have re-ignited public concerns about the effectiveness of the Forest department’s measures to address the increasing occurrences of human-wildlife conflict in rural localities with large settler-farmer and plantation worker populations. The Kerala government is facing public ire after a wild elephant fatally trampled Kappad Unnathil Manu, a farmer, at Noolpuzha in Wayanad on Monday (February 10, 2025). His body was found on Tuesday morning. Another rampaging wild elephant gored Sofia Ismail, a plantation worker, to death at Kompanpara near Peruvanthanam in Idukki on Monday. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has blamed the government for their deaths. He alleged that the Forest department failed to track the wild elephants, alert citizens, and turn the wild animals back into the forests. He noted that rural populations in the State, mainly settler-farmers and plantation workers, were increasingly at risk from wildlife, including predatory animals, foraying into human habitations for easy forage and prey. Wildlife raids on farmlands have dealt a death blow to the State’s rural agrarian economy and created an atmosphere of fear in agricultural communities, he said. “Nevertheless, the government seemed to care less. The administration has abandoned the rural population, primarily smallholders, to their plight,” Mr. Satheesan said. Budget Allocation Slammed Mr. Satheesan characterised the Budget allocation for human-wildlife conflict (HWC) mitigation as “belated and deficient.” He alleged that the government has not maintained moats, fences, and other monitoring systems since 2021, rendering the defences ineffective. He said the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition would mobilise the beleaguered rural community against the State’s “apathy.” Forest Minister’s Response Meanwhile, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran told the Kerala Assembly that wildlife intrusions into human habitations for water and forage often peaked during summer. On February 1, the government initiated a campaign to supply food, fodder, and water for wild animals in their natural habitat, aiming to reduce the frequency of incursions into populated areas and farmland, he pointed out. The measures involve excavating artificial ponds, establishing waterholes, maintaining wetlands, and constructing check dams. Additionally, the Forest department has commenced planting fruit trees within forests. It has restored 1,583.85 hectares of acacia, Manchiyam, teak, and eucalyptus plantations into natural forests. The department has also initiated effective measures to rid forests, chiefly in Wayanad and Idukki, of invasive species. Controlled Burning The government has begun controlled burning of forests to restore grasslands. It has also filled gaps in the solar fencing, excavated additional elephant-proof trenches, and erected walls and traditional fences. Furthermore, the government is installing digital fences and light and sound systems linked to animal intrusion alert systems to deter marauding elephants. It has also cleared trees and undergrowth along elephant paths to prevent the wildlife from detouring into residential localities, said the Minister. Mr. Saseendran stated that the department has increased patrols in HWC hotspots and established inter-State committees to monitor wildlife movement in adjacent forests. At least 28 special teams have been deployed in HWC hotspots across the State to respond swiftly to wildlife threats. The government has equipped the rapid response teams (RRT) with the latest tools, including firearms, centralised control rooms, and tranquilliser guns. He stated that Kerala has notified the Central government to classify feral monkeys and wild boars as vermin to manage their burgeoning population. The Forest department has also put snake-catchers, chiefly trained volunteers, in place to rescue venomous snakes from populated localities. The government has engaged licensed shooters and declared panchayat president, municipal and Corporation chairpersons as honorary wildlife wardens to shoot down wild boars that trespass on human habitations, he added. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/fatal-wild-elephant-attacks-in-kerala-raise-fresh-concerns-over-human-wildlife-conflict-management/article69205863.ece