HC Urges Govt to Revamp Strategy for Tackling Human-Animal Conflicts

quick Summary

• The Kerala High Court Division Bench directed the State government to adopt a reimagined, inter-departmental strategy to tackle human-wildlife conflicts in Kannur’s Aralam farm and Wayanad.
• Wildlife incursions persist despite decade-long measures; elephants, monkeys noted as recurring issues.
• Tribal settlements are scattered between forests and farms, complicating defense efforts; relocation of tribal homesteads into farm areas was suggested as part of the solution.
• Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak proposed replacing crops like banana and jackfruit with ginger, turmeric, chilly, and cinnamon to deter wildlife incursions.
• Plans include clearing dense undergrowth used as hiding spots by elephants and placing farmlands and resettlement areas under a single administrative head for better coordination.
• A Kerala Administrative Service officer has been appointed managing director of the State Farming Corporation of Kerala for oversight on growth in conflict zones.
• Recommendations were made to formalize grassroots networks like Janajagratha Samiti units for Wayanad-specific challenges. Similar frameworks could be extended to other conflict-prone regions including Palakkad, Idukki, and Kasaragod.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The human-wildlife tension highlighted by the Kerala High Court underscores systemic gaps in management strategies across forest-adjacent communities. the court’s emphasis on integrating departments under unified administration could streamline decision-making while addressing delays caused by bureaucratic silos. Proposed shifts in agricultural practices reflect creative efforts toward deterrence but raises questions about their economic feasibility for affected communities.

The court’s call for voluntary relocation balances livelihood preservation with safety concerns but would require sensitive implementation given tribal community ties to ancestral lands. Formalizing grassroots networks like Janajagratha Samitis may provide a scalable model for conflict-resolution frameworks elsewhere if appropriately supported.

For regions like Kannur’s Aralam farm or forested Wayanad landscapes facing entrenched wildlife incursions, clear dialog between governing bodies will be essential-alongside clear mechanisms ensuring all stakeholders’ involvement in policy interventions aimed at sustainable coexistence.

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