Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Jun 25 (PTI) The Kerala government will prepare a comprehensive plan to address human-wildlife conflict in the state, Forest and Wildlife Minister Shibu Baby John said on Thursday.
A key feature of the initiative will be the division of the state’s forest areas into 12 zones based on the pattern of human-wildlife conflict, with a separate mitigation plan to be prepared and implemented for each zone, the minister said.
He was speaking after inaugurating review meetings in Konni and Ranni in this district.
He said the strategy would focus on keeping wild animals inside forests, reducing the impact when they enter human settlements and ensuring timely compensation to affected people.
The minister said the availability of food
and other resources inside forests would be assessed to prevent animals from straying into populated areas.
Along with measures such as trenches, solar-powered fences and hanging fences, scientific studies would be undertaken to develop new methods to curb wildlife incursions.
John said wild animals entering inhabited areas would be safely driven back without posing a threat to people.
Compensation to victims would be provided in a time-bound manner, and discussions would be held with the Chief Minister on increasing compensation amounts.
The minister said crop insurance is one of the government’s declared objectives and would be introduced in association with public sector insurance companies with affordable premium rates.
To address crop damage caused by wild boars, John said discussions would be held with the Union Forest Minister and that more authorised shooters would be deployed for culling the animals.
As part of efforts to reduce elephant incursions, the government plans to collect jackfruit from trees near forest boundaries before they ripen from the next season onwards.
The scheme will be implemented in coordination with the Agriculture Department, with farmers receiving a fair price for the produce.
The number of Forest Department Rapid Response Teams will also be increased, the minister said, adding that Rs 192 crore has been allocated in the current financial year for human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures.
He further said agencies that fail to complete Forest Department works on time would be removed.
A workshop for elected representatives of local bodies along forest boundaries will be organised in Thiruvananthapuram next month, and their suggestions will be considered while formulating future plans, John added. PTI TGB ROH
