Kerala Designates Human-Animal Conflict As State-Specific Disaster

A cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram made the decision on Wednesday.

In the last two months, several instances of man-animal conflict have been reported in Kerala's Wayanad district.

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Kerala government declared human-animal conflict a State-Specific Disaster amid fatal wildlife attacks on people in the state. With the move, the State Disaster Management Authority will assist activities at the district and local levels to address the issue. 

On Wednesday, a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram made the decision.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) declared the active involvement of the State Disaster Management Authority in addressing human-animal conflicts.

At district and local levels, four committees will be formed, comprising the chief minister, other ministers, or officers.

The roles and operations of these committees, including the state-level officer committee, will be determined following consultations with the chief secretary and the forest department secretary, as stated in the release, according to a report on IANS.

In the last two months, several instances of man-animal conflict have been reported in Kerala's Wayanad district. A temporary eco-tourism worker, identified as Paul, succumbed to injuries sustained in an elephant attack at Kozhikode Medical College and Hospital. Paul, who was on his way to work at the Kuruva Island eco-tourism project, encountered a wild elephant, resulting in the fatal attack. Initially treated at a nearby hospital, Paul was later transferred to Kozhikode where he died.

The event follows the death of a resident named Laxmanan who was also fatally attacked by a wild elephant on January 30. In another incident, merely 4 kilometers from the location, Ajeesh, a tractor driver, previously succumbed to a tusker's attack.

A wild elephant also attacked a Maoist group who managed to escape and survive in Kannur.

Following the incident, the residents staged multiple protests demanding action against the government. 

Last year, data provided by Wayanad Wildlife Warden's office stated that 45 persons were killed in 23 years between 2000-2023 in wild animal attacks in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.