Balancing Life: Addressing Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Kerala

Over the past four years, Kerala has seen 344 fatalities stemming from human-wildlife conflicts, according to Environment and Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Most incidents involved snake bites, elephants, and wild boars. Efforts are being made to mitigate these conflicts through scientific centers and local initiatives.

In a recent disclosure to the Rajya Sabha, Environment and Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav reported that Kerala has witnessed 344 deaths due to human-wildlife conflicts from 2021 to 2025. The primary causes were snake bites, elephants, and wild pigs, contributing to a significant loss of life.

Minister Yadav underscored the necessity of balancing human safety with environmental protection. Initiatives include developing the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History as a research hub for addressing man-animal conflicts and identifying elephant corridors to reduce incidents.

Additionally, Yadav mentioned empowering village panchayats to tackle the menace of wild boars. The government has also liaised with the Railways to identify elephant routes, aiming to ensure safer coexistence between humans and wildlife in Kerala.

(With inputs from agencies.)