Recent fatalities due to wild animal attacks in Kerala highlight the growing conflict, especially in forested areas and human settlements.
The conflict is expected to worsen due to a hot summer and dry spell, requiring immediate measures to prevent escalation.
The Kerala government is facing criticism for its inability to manage wildlife, with some groups calling for wildlife culling, though Forest Department data contradicts this.
Wildlife-related deaths have decreased, with a 7% decline in the wild elephant population and fewer deaths from snakebites, but this trend isn’t a reason to be complacent.
Many victims are from tribal communities, who traditionally coexist with wildlife, prompting the need for further investigation into this issue.
Habitat fragmentation, unregulated tourism, cattle grazing, and encroachments contribute to the problem, along with invasive plants and monoculture plantations disrupting wildlife feeding.
Kerala has empowered local bodies to deal with wild boar damage, declared human-wildlife conflict a state disaster, and initiated forest restoration and participatory wildlife management.
While some measures, like solar fencing, have been successful, large projects like the elephant-proof wall at Aralam remain incomplete.
A coordinated effort between various departments, including Disaster Management, Agriculture, and Tribal Welfare, is essential to balance human safety and wildlife management.
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