Centre not cooperating with state to tackle human-wildlife conflicts: Kerala CM

Kozhikode: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday alleged that the Central government was "not cooperating" with the state in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. He was speaking after launching a Forest Department project aimed at reducing wild animal attacks in the state.

“In the last five years, ₹79.14 crore has been given as compensation in cases of death due to wildlife attacks,” the CM said. “In 2023-24, 95 per cent of applicants received compensation. But only a minimal share comes from the Central government. Despite repeated requests to increase the amount, no favourable decision has been taken,” he added.

The chief minister said the state would not shirk its responsibility. “In the current budget, ₹70 crore has been earmarked for projects to counter wildlife attacks,” he noted. He alleged that the Centre had not responded positively to state proposals. “For example, we asked them to declare wild boars destroying agriculture as vermin. But the Centre dismissed the request,” the CM said.

According to him, the Union government’s stance is that animals listed under Schedules 1 and 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act—whether inside or outside forests—must be treated as wildlife, and that the law cannot be altered.

He added that procedures in cases of human-wildlife conflict were complex, and the state wanted to simplify them. “Hiding these facts, the Centre is trying to blame the state. Without realising the issues, some are raising questions against us. They should understand the reality,” he said.

Vijayan said that in the last nine years, 854 people had died due to wild animal attacks in Kerala, including 594 snakebite deaths outside forests. He recalled that the state had declared human-wildlife conflict a state disaster last year.

“There are 400 panchayats in the state affected by wild animal attacks. Of these, 273 face the issue regularly, while 30 report frequent incidents. This must be resolved at any cost, because it is a matter of human lives,” he stressed.

Conflict-prone areas have been classified into 12 zones, with projects tailored to each landscape. “More studies are being conducted, and once completed, a policy to reduce human-wildlife conflicts can be formulated,” he said.

As preventive measures, Vijayan said that 1,954 km of solar fencing along forest boundaries is already functional, and another 794 km is being installed.

“There are efforts to preserve wildlife habitats inside forests. Natural ponds are being revived and water supply ensured. Invasive weeds will be removed and fruit-bearing trees planted,” he said.

To prevent animal incursions, he added, 28 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and additional satellite RRTs are now operational.

On snakebite deaths, Vijayan said the second phase of the SARPA project will soon be launched. “Studies will also be carried out to develop an antivenom. Meanwhile, we will ensure antivenom supply to all hospitals,” he said.