Kerala's Worsening Wild Animal Conflict: Urgent Plan in the Works

Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran acknowledged increasing wild animal attacks in the state, stressing the need for an urgent relief plan. Although previously claiming a decline in such conflicts, he responded to MLA A Prabhakaran's concerns. Efforts are underway in Malampuzha to manage these encounters.

In a recent Assembly session, Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran acknowledged an alarming rise in wild animal attacks across the state, emphasizing the need for an immediate action plan to alleviate affected communities.

The acknowledgement marks a shift from his earlier stance last month, where he cited a decline in conflicts. This change came in response to concerns raised by A Prabhakaran, CPI(M) MLA from Malampuzha.

No casualties from animal attacks have been reported in Malampuzha in the past six months, but proactive measures like camera trapping and addressing wild boar invasions are being implemented to tackle the pressing issue of human-animal encounters.