Keralam’s Forest Department presents action plan for ‘human-wildlife coexistence’ at conference of Ministers, MPs and MLAs
The action plan envisions landscape-level planning across forest divisions, corridors and conflict hotspots as opposed to what it terms the earlier approach of “fragmented interventions.” It also promises a ‘preventive and proactive’ response based on risk mapping, increased focus on animal movement routes and site and species-specific interventions
The Kerala Forest Department unveiled a comprehensive action plan for 'human-wildlife coexistence' at a recent conference attended by ministers, MPs, and MLAs. The plan envisions landscape-based management committees, command and control centers at a landscape level, and technological mitigation tools to address human-wildlife conflict (HWC). The financial plan amounts to ₹1,040 crore over four years, with ₹724.67 crore allocated to the landscape-level component and ₹314.80 crore to the state-level one.
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John presided over the event and highlighted the action plan's division of Kerala into 14 landscapes. The approach shifts from fragmented interventions to landscape-level planning across forest divisions, corridors, and conflict hotspots. A preventive and proactive response will be based on risk mapping, focusing on animal movement routes, and site and species-specific interventions.
Smart hanging solar power fences with audio-visual deterrence will be deployed in designated hotspots, while improved transportation for the Forest department using all-terrain vehicles (ATV) will be proposed.
Other novel initiatives include promoting wildlife-resilient crops in forest-fringe regions, establishing specialized wildlife rehabilitation centers for carnivores and herbivores at Thrissur Zoo, and a kumki-squad for managing problematic elephant populations. The plan also envisions establishing landscape-level command and control centers and drone squads in all 14 landscapes.
HWC zones are categorized based on eight local self-government units in the 'very high' category, 14 in the 'high' category, and 51 in the 'medium' conflict unit category. Data from 2016-17 to 2025-26 shows 1,001 deaths due to HWC and 10,976 cases seeking compensation for injuries.
The plan notes that incidents claiming lives and causing injuries have peaked during the late evening hours, with nearly three in every four conflicts occurring after dark. Among 4,170 incidents analyzed from June to August, 70.9% took place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., with 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. identified as the single busiest hour with 384 incidents reported.
The action plan was prepared in consultation with MLAs of constituencies with forest areas, farmer representatives, environmentalists, and various government departments, as well as the Central government.
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