Published: 14th Mar, 2024
Context
In the wake of recurring incidents of loss of lives in human settlements due to elephant attacks, Kerala has come up with long, short-term measures to prevent man-animal conflict. Also, the Kerala cabinet declared instances of man-animal conflict as a state-specific disaster. Declaration of the man-animal conflict as a state specific disaster will give more power to the district collectors to address the menace.
1: Dimension-The pressing issue of human-animal conflict
- In contemporary Kerala, particularly in the district of Wayanad, human-animal conflict is a pressing issue shaped by the intricate interplay of agrarian transformation and forest conservation efforts.
- As capitalist settler agriculture expands into forested areas, encroaching upon wildlife habitats, conflicts between humans and animals intensify.
- This conflict reflects a historical narrative of ecological modernity, where state-led and globalizing conservation initiatives intersect with agrarian changes, creating complex dynamics of coexistence and competition between human livelihoods and wildlife survival.
2: Dimension- States attempt to prevent the menace Measures
- Long-term Measures:
- Smart elephant fence: A smart elephant fence to prevent marauding wild elephants from reaching human habitations and reduce the instances of man-animal conflict in Wayanad.
- Improvement of wildlife habitats: Eradication of invasive plants such as senna, eco-restoration activities by removing eucalyptus and acacia plantations, supporting the regeneration of natural vegetation, improvement of wildlife habitats, and charging fees for entry of private vehicles into the forest area will also be explored.
- Short-term Measures
- Coordination: The meetings of the inter-State coordination committee, the setting up of a Command Control Centre in Wayanad, and steps for strengthening the early warning system to alert people about the possible presence of wild animals in human habitations.
- Deployment of drones for surveillance, clearing compensation to victims of wild animal attacks, setting up of a new forest station, and closure of ecotourism destinations in the forest till the issue of man-animal conflict is reduced are also being implemented, the State informed the court.
3: Dimension-Impact
- The measures reflects the state's proactive approach to addressing this pressing issue. Through these initiatives, the state aims to improve early warning systems and response mechanisms.
- These efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to managing conflict and ensuring the safety of both communities and wildlife.
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