Keralam to strengthen grassroots measures against human-wildlife conflict
Standing panels to monitor activities in affected local bodies.
The Keralam government plans to implement a series of measures to enhance grassroots-level efforts in addressing the escalating issue of human-wildlife conflict in forest-adjacent regions. Permanent standing committees are to be established in 273 local self-government institutions, including nine bodies currently grappling with severe human-wildlife conflict.
The primary objective of this initiative is to bolster preventive strategies at the local level and empower local bodies to respond more efficiently to wildlife intrusions. These committees will be tasked with planning and executing preventive measures within their respective jurisdictions, which may encompass solar fencing, railway fencing, trenches, and other protective and maintenance works in high-risk zones.
Moreover, they will play a pivotal role in determining immediate preventive actions in areas where wild animals frequently intrude into human settlements, thereby facilitating prompt action at the grassroots level instead of solely relying on the existing forest division system.
The government's proposal follows discussions at recent meetings led by Forest Minister Shibu Baby John and Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji. It is also anticipated that constituency-level committees, chaired by legislators in constituencies affected by human-wildlife conflict, will be formed. These committees will comprise panchayat presidents, elected representatives, and various government officials.
The aim is to bolster coordination and intervention closer to the affected communities, thereby enhancing the role of people's representatives. Additionally, consideration is being given to appointing an expert committee to evaluate compensation for losses caused by wildlife attacks. At a recent meeting of MLAs and MPs, Chief Minister V.D.
Satheesan announced plans to increase the compensation provided to families of individuals killed in wildlife attacks and to farmers suffering crop losses due to wildlife encroachment.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
