Human-Wildlife Conflict Escalates In Kerala’s Forest Regions
24 May 2025 4:58 PM IST24 May 2025 4:58 PM IST
The constant wild attacks spark concern among residents and wildlife officials in the State’s forested regions.
Kerala is becoming a hotspot for human-animal conflict. (Image/X/Anil T Prabhakar)
Hyderabad: As many as 27 people became the victims of wild animal attacks in Kerala, as of May 2025. Out of these, 19 were elephant attacks, two were tiger attacks, three wild boars and one Indian gaur. The recent victim of tiger attack is Gafoor from Kallamala, killed on 15, May 2025. The local residents criticized the ignorance of the forest staff in spite of lodging repeated complaints. The constant wild attacks spark concern among residents and wildlife officials in the State’s forested regions.
Kerala is becoming a hotspot for human-animal conflict. Increased settlements and agricultural activities in forest have led to the frequent encounters between humans and wild animals. The loss of forest habitat forced animals such as elephants, tigers and wild boars to enter human settlements in search of resources. Wayanad, Kannur, Palakkad and Idukki with high forest cover are highly prone to wildlife attacks.
The historical records show that there were wild animal attacks in Kerala from the 19 th century. However, the issue intensified with the expansion of settler agriculture in the Western Ghats from the 1930s, leading to the deadly encounters with elephants, tigers, and wild boars. Furthermore, the eco tourism accelerates the issue. Thousands of tourists enter the forested areas daily
The wildlife attacks often create an intense rage among the residents. There were large-scale protests in Wayanad. The residents staged frequent hartals and roadblocks. Farmers and plantation workers demanded the right to thin out wild animals that have been rummaging into the human habitats.
“A case will be filed if a deer dies after being hit by bus, but Forest department says that they will try to catch the tiger which killed humans. The state government is cheating the people, by misusing the funds allotted by the Central government”, says a resident of Malappuram. Samad, the co-worker of Gafoor said that “Almost everyone here has been living in fear. Gafoor has become a victim. We don’t want to lose another human life.”
A.K. Saseendran, the current Wildlife and Forest Minister of Kerala assured the Assembly that the government is implementing a comprehensive approach, including the “Mission Food, Fodder, and Water” to ensure wild animals have sufficient resources within forests, aiming to reduce their movement into human occupied areas.
He admitted to delays in projects like the Aralam elephant wall and promised immediate action, including expediting construction, installing solar fencing, and increasing Rapid Response Team Personnel. The state government and the Forest Minister faced criticisms from opposition parties for perceived lapses. The Forest Minister defended the government’s record, and promised stricter action against officials when necessary.
The article is authored by Aswathy P B, intern at Deccan Chronicle
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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