Killing of wild animals not a long-term solution: Kerala forest minister A K Saseendran (Thiruvananthapuram) Times of India October 8, 2021 See link <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/killing-of-wild-animals-not-a-long-term-solution-kerala-forest-minister-a-k-saseendran/articleshow/86858994.cms> for photo. As many as 504 wild boars have been shot dead in the last one-and-a-half months alone, and indiscriminate killing of wild animals is not a solution to tackle human-animal conflicts and crop damage, forest minister A K Saseendran said in the assembly on Thursday. Agreeing to the minister’s views, opposition leader V D Satheesan stressed the need to formulate a comprehensive plan for sustainable coexistence of humans and animals. Satheesan said more elephants have been straying into human settlements and spoiling crops as natural elephant corridors inside the forests have been blocked by human interventions. “Taking into consideration the state’s geographical peculiarities, the government should formulate a comprehensive management plan. A dedicated division under the chief conservator of forest (CCF) should handle the subject and a special insurance plan have to be devised for those residing near forest areas," Satheesan said. Citing an example of another state where chillies were grown along forest routes to deter elephants from eating crops, Satheesan said such measures should also be explored. Saseendran said the government will allocate more funds for undertaking activities to reduce humanwildlife conflicts by next year. In as many as 17 areas, the forest and wildlife department is planning to come up with drone surveillance, so as to provide timely warning to farmers about potential threats. In addition, the Jana Jagratha Samithi, 246 of which have been formed, are functioning well. They will be extended to more areas, the minister said. Steps are being taken to ensure food and water for animals inside the forest. As many as 723 ponds are being cleaned and rejuvenated, while 197 new ones are being dug, he said. He said he has held discussions with MLAs from nine districts where there are forests sharing boundaries with human settlements and that he has received as many as 1,600 suggestions. He added that the forest department will prepare a draft report and will submit the recommendations to the chief minister. Earlier, raising the matter seeking a leave for adjournment motion, Sunny Joseph MLA said incidents of animals attacking humans and crops in districts having forest cover have been on the rise. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/killing-of-wild-animals-not-a-long-term-solution-kerala-forest-minister-a-k-saseendran/articleshow/86858994.cms