Keralam government hikes compensations for human-wildlife conflict victims by 25%

The Kerala government has raised compensations for those affected by human-wildlife conflict by 25%, as reported on February 12, 2025. This move is seen as a significant response to the growing number of human-wildlife encounters, particularly involving elephants, in the Western Ghats region.

The increase in compensation amounts comes amid concerns over the growing elephant population in the Western Ghats. According to a joint estimation, there are around 1,700 elephants in the surveyed areas, but this number could potentially rise to 2,000 due to increased migration.

Under the new compensation scheme, the maximum payment for deaths caused by wildlife attacks has been raised to ₹17.5 lakh. This figure provides additional financial support to the families of those killed and those who suffer permanent disabilities or injuries from such incidents. The revised rates also apply to victims who suffer disabilities ranging from 40% to 60%, including the loss of a limb or eye, with compensation now at ₹2.5 lakh.

The government has also introduced a financial grant of up to ₹1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund for rare and severe cases where expenses exceed ₹2.25 lakh. This grant can be sanctioned directly by the Chief Minister based on a treating doctor's certificate, without the need for a separate government order.

The revised compensation scheme also streamlines treatment assistance for hospitalised victims with severe injuries. For those hospitalized for more than a week, the assistance, previously capped between ₹16,000 and ₹1 lakh, has been increased to a maximum of ₹1.25 lakh. For victims hospitalized for less than a week, assistance remains between ₹5,400 and ₹1 lakh under standard provisions.