Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: A Comprehensive Approach

A.K. Saseendran
Minister for Forests and Wildlife

Efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Kerala through technological solutions, community engagement, and proactive wildlife management strategies

The Department of Forest and Wildlife in Kerala has implemented various initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, ensuring the safety and security of both people and animals. Over the years, numerous innovative strategies and interventions have been developed to address these challenges. These include technological advancements, strategic collaborations, and public involvement to create a holistic approach to managing wildlife and its interactions with human populations. To prevent wildlife intrusion into human settlements, Kerala has installed advanced protective barriers, including 1051.53 km of solar fencing, 120.37 km of solar hanging fencing, and 10 km of railway fencing in critical areas. Other measures like 69.07 km of elephant-proof trenches and 1.92 km of elephant barriers have been constructed to safeguard agriculture and residential areas from wildlife threats.

Mission-Based Monitoring and Interventions 

A series of missions were launched to monitor and respond to wildlife movements. These missions include: ■ Mission Real-time Monitoring: To track the movements of wild animals using advanced monitoring systems. ■ Primary Response Team: Ensures immediate intervention during wildlife attacks. ■ Mission Tribal Knowledge: Gathers traditional knowledge from indigenous communities to mitigate conflicts. ■ Mission Food-Fodder-Water: Ensures adequate food, water, and fodder availability in forests to prevent wildlife from straying into human habitations. ■ Mission Bonnet Macaque & Wild Pig: Targets control measures for specific animal species like bonnet macaques and wild pigs, which often cause crop damage. ■ Mission Sarpaka: Aims to reduce deaths from snakebites by improving snakebite management and awareness. ■ Mission Knowledge: Conducts studies on the root causes of human-wildlife conflicts. ■ Mission Solar Fencing: Expands the use of solar fencing, with a target of 848 km of functional solar fences by 2024-25. ■ Mission Public Sensitization to public: Raises awareness among the public about human-wildlife conflicts.

Emergency Response and Awareness Building

To enhance the state’s preparedness and response to wildlife-related emergencies, the Department of Forest and Wildlife has set up 28 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) across Kerala, including nine new RRTs. The department has declared human-wildlife conflict a “state-specific disaster” and established a State Emergency Operating Centre (SEOC), available 24/7, along with 36 divisional emergency centres. T hese centres are equipped to handle any wildlife related emergencies promptly. Further, local governance bodies have been empowered to issue orders for killing wild pigs, a major concern in agricultural areas. Local self government heads and secretaries have been designated as honorary wildlife wardens to oversee these efforts.

Technological Innovations in Wildlife Management

T he department has incorporated cutting-edge technology to monitor and deter wildlife intrusions: ■ AI Cameras & Intrusion Detection Systems: T hese systems detect animal movements in real time, allowing for immediate responses to prevent potential conflicts. ■ Early Warning Systems: Digital sensors and alarms are used in vulnerable areas to alert communities about the presence of dangerous wildlife, such as elephants. ■ Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent Systems (ANIDERS): This system has been trailed to alert officials of any wildlife intrusion. ■ Drones: Used for large-scale monitoring of wildlife, providing valuable data for management strategies. Additionally, modern alarm systems are used to deter elephants from entering human settlements by emitting sound and light, redirecting them back into the forest.

Data-Driven Management: Real-Time Monitoring

The ‘M-StriPES’ mobile app has been introduced to allow forest officials to document patrolling activities, field inspections, and wildlife census in real time. This app helps in coordinating effortsacross the state and ensures a more efficient response to wildlife incursions. Moreover, the department has launched a digital dashboard that registers and analyses wildlife deaths online through a dedicated module called “ONAG.” This initiative aims to streamline data collection KERALA CALLING 2025 MAY 27 KERALA CALLING 2025 MAY 27 and improve the analysis of human-wildlife conflict incidents.

Infrastructure Developments and Community Engagement

Several new infrastructure projects are aimed at preventing conflicts: • Smart Fencing: A 70-meter smart fence has been installed in the Irulam Forest Station as a pilot project. The department has also deployed 891 temporary watchers in various circles to monitor wildlife movements. • Solar Lighting in Settlements: Over 1,000 solar lights and 60 high-mast lights are being installed in forest-adjacent settlements to reduce the likelihood of wildlife encounters. • Recruitment of Forest Officers: The department has recruited 500 beat forest officers from tribal communities through special recruitment drives to ensure effective management of forest areas.

Rehabilitation and Compensation for Affected Families

The Kerala government has launched several compensation schemes for families affected by 28 KERALA CALLING 2025 MAY KERALA CALLING 2025 MAY wildlife attacks. As part of the ‘Navakiranam’ rehabilitation initiative, 818 families affected by wildlife attacks have been relocated to safer areas, with compensation provided for their losses. Between 2020-21 and 2023-24, the government has granted over Rs 55 crores in compensation for damages caused by human-wildlife conflicts. Compensation is provided for both loss of life and damage to property, such as crops. The government has also extended support to those affected by snakebites or beehive-related incidents.

 Habitat Restoration and Ecosystem Management

To reduce wildlife dependency on human settlements, the department has implemented several habitat restoration initiatives: • Water Bodies and Fodder Management: The department has developed 1,434 water bodies and 574 additional fodder resources in critical forest areas to ensure a steady supply of water and food for wildlife, keeping them within forest limits. • Native Plantations: Invasive species were removed from forest areas, and native fruit-bearing trees were encouraged to grow to provide natural food sources for wildlife.

Wayanad Comprehensive Development Package

To specifically address human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad, substantial investments have been made: • ₹98.7 lakh has been allocated for the North Wayanad division. • ₹115.7 lakh for South Wayanad. • ₹2 crore has been earmarked for wildlife management within the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Additionally, solar-powered fences are being constructed in critical areas to reduce elephant attacks on crops.

Addressing Fire Hazards and Illegal Encroachments

To combat forest fires and illegal encroachments, the department has established multiple fire control rooms across Kerala, including eight at the circle level and 36 at the divisional level. These rooms monitor f ire outbreaks and allow for swift action during fire seasons. Furthermore, since the government assumed office, 1,583.85 hectares of forest land previously occupied by invasive species have been restored to natural habitats.

Public Awareness and Sensitisation

To foster greater public involvement, Kerala has launched awareness campaigns aimed at educating people on how to deal with wildlife encounters safely. T he “Mission Sensitization to Public” campaign has successfully raised awareness about preventive measures and ways to report wildlife conflicts. Additionally, special programs like the ‘Vanashree’ initiative promote sustainable forest management practices among local tribal communities, allowing them to benefit economically from the forest while maintaining its health. As part of natural reforestation efforts, 1,583.85 hectares of monoculture plantations—such as acacia, mangium, and eucalyptus—have been replaced with native forest cover. The formation of the Kerala Forest Ecotourism Development Authority is in its final stages. Compensation of Rs. 2.26 crore has been distributed for incidents involving wild animal attacks, injuries, and crop damage. Annual budget allocations for human-wildlife conflict mitigation were as follows: Rs. 22 crore (2021–22), Rs. 25 crore (2022–23), Rs. 30.85 crore (2023–24), and Rs. 48.85 crore (2024–25). An additional Rs. 110 crore was allocated as a special fund, with Rs. 3.72 crore designated for the State Emergency Operation Centre and Rs. 50 lakh earmarked specifically for Wayanad. T he State Disaster Response Fund now provides Rs. 4 lakh to the families of those who die from snake bites or bee/wasp stings occurring outside forest areas.

Future Directions and Funding

In the coming years, Kerala plans to continue expanding its efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict with an increased focus on technology and community collaboration. Significant funding has been allocated for future projects, including: • ₹48.85 crore for 2024-25 to reduce human wildlife conflict. • A special fund of ₹110 crore dedicated to mitigating wildlife-related challenges. T hese efforts align with Kerala’s broader environmental and biodiversity conservation goals, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Social Forestry and Conservation Initiatives

Social forestry programs include the Forest Medicine Prosperity initiative, Vidyavanam Project, Urban Forest Project, Coastal Forest Project, Institutional Forestry Plans, and Forestry Clubs. An international-standard Elephant Rehabilitation Centre has been established at Kottoor, Thiruvananthapuram, with an investment of Rs. 105 crore, addressing elephant-human conflict and ensuring elephant welfare. The zoo currently located at the Thrissur Museum is being relocated to the Zoological Park in the Puthur forest area with an investment of Rs. 350 crore. Construction of the Natural History Forest Museum in Kulathupuzha, Kollam has been completed, and the Kozhikode Tiger Safari Park is under development. The Periyar Tiger Reserve ranked first among India’s tiger reserves in 2022 and received accreditation from the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) in 2023.According to the State of Forest Report, Kerala recorded the highest increase in forest cover outside designated forest areas over the past decade.

The ‘Sarppa’ Mobile App

The ‘Sarppa’ mobile app helps in the protection of snakes and reduces incidents of snakebites. It also allows users to report other wildlife-related conflicts and promotes public awareness about snakebite prevention.

Inter-State Coordination Committee

Kerala has established an inter-state coordination committee with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. The committee has formed 280 public awareness committees to address these challenges collectively.