Greens question expertise of members on Keralam’s human-wildlife conflict panel

Environmental groups have criticized the composition of Kerala's seven-member State-level Advisory Committee on human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Conservationist M.K. Ranjitsinh, along with a hospitality professional, a horticulture entrepreneur and Baiju Paul Mathews, a KIFA member, were included in the committee. Critics argue that members like Mathews, who has filed complaints against Forest department officers, lack the necessary expertise to address human-wildlife conflict issues effectively.

The Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti (WPSS) pointed out that the government's selection criteria were flawed, as they failed to include Adivasi communities, traditional forest-dwelling farmers, scientists, biologists and NGOs with experience in dealing with human-wildlife conflict. WPSS president N. Badusha described Ranjitsinh as a figurehead, adding that several experts who could provide valuable insights were not part of the panel.

Animal rights activist M.N. Jayachandran expressed concern over members supporting the killing of wild animals, suggesting that the government should reconstitute the panel with true experts. Mathews, in response, claimed he intended to offer a balanced perspective on the issue and provided examples of his scientific work related to human-animal conflict.