Amidst the tranquil vistas and verdant foliage of Kerala’s mountainous and wooded regions, a troubling narrative has unfurled in recent months, marked by an upsurge in conflicts between humans and animals, resulting in a trail of fatalities, injuries, and escalating financial setbacks.
Over the past three months, a minimum of nine lives has been extinguished in the districts of Idukki and Wayanad, while numerous others have endured wounds from wildlife assaults, particularly by elephants, tigers, and feral swine, among other species.
Domestic animals and beloved pets have tragically fallen victim to attacks, as elephants and feral swine stray from their woodland habitats into agricultural zones, leaving farmers disheartened and distressed.
Amidst grappling with these tragic occurrences, the matter has emerged as a focal point of discussion in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The reigning Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), under the leadership of the Congress, advocate for revisions to the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, a law falling within the purview of the concurrent list. They assert that amendments are imperative to tackle the escalating incidents of human-animal conflicts.
Conversely, the BJP-led central government contends that the current provisions of the Act suffice to address situations involving aggressive wild animals.
In light of the recent surge in human-animal conflicts, the Kerala Assembly adopted a resolution on February 14, urging the Centre to amend the Act and streamline the procedures for managing wild animals posing threats to human life and property.
Kerala proposes amending Section 11(1)(A) of the Act, transferring authority from the Chief Wildlife Warden to the Chief Conservators of Forests, thus facilitating more streamlined management of wild animals that endanger human lives.
Former Idukki MP and current LDF candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Joice George, emphasized the crucial role of maintaining a balance between prey and predator in the sustainable management of wildlife and ecosystems.
Citing various international studies, including those conducted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), George asserted that sustainable wildlife management also encompasses the concept of “kill to conserve.”
“If the wildlife population surges, then culling measures can be implemented. This approach aims not only to alleviate human-animal conflicts but also serves the greater interests of conservation, forests, and ecosystems,” George proclaimed.
He highlighted the proactive measures undertaken by the Left government in the state to mitigate human-animal conflicts.
George underscored the significance of sustainable wildlife management and acknowledged the necessity of simplifying processes to alleviate human-animal conflicts, notwithstanding the central government’s belief in the adequacy of existing laws.
Samshad Marakkar, a leader of the Congress and president of the Wayanad district panchayat, also emphasized the urgency of updating laws to adapt to current circumstances. He criticized both state and central governments for handling wildlife issues in a purportedly ‘irresponsible’ manner.
“This will be a pivotal issue in the forthcoming elections, not only in Wayanad but also in other districts with forested areas. People aspire to lead peaceful lives. They will undoubtedly support those who take proactive measures to safeguard their livelihoods,” the Congress leader remarked.
Marakkar asserted that the Forest Department grapples with funding shortages and lacks the necessary equipment to manage wild animals, advocating for amendments to simplify the procedural complexities involved in culling or tranquilizing.
In addition to political parties, the Catholic Church, particularly the Idukki diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, is alarmed by the escalating incidents of human-animal conflicts, with at least six fatalities occurring in the hill district in the past two months alone, prompting them to consider taking action.
The church urged the government to empower local communities to address problematic species instead of creating bureaucratic hurdles.
“At present, the panchayats possess the authority to deal with feral swine. However, when a feral swine attacks someone, we are required to obtain approval from the relevant authority to either capture or eliminate the nuisance. This process is impractical, as by the time the formalities are completed, the animal may have inflicted harm on another individual or damaged crops,” Fr Jins Karackattu, the Director of the Media Commission of the Idukki diocese, remarked.
The antiquated law of 1972 has become obsolete, and both state and central governments bear the responsibility of devising a lasting solution to the issue, he asserted.
The ruling BJP at the Centre contends that the current law already encompasses provisions for addressing wild animals that pose threats to humans, citing recent amendments that prioritize full protection for residential areas.
“There exists a prevailing law. The Union Forest Minister has explicitly stated that provisions exist for the elimination of wild animals. However, the state government fails to enforce the law and resorts to making feeble excuses,” remarked George Kurien, the BJP’s state general secretary.
He emphasized that the efficacy of any number of amendments is rendered moot if the state government lacks the resolve to implement them.
Fr Kuriakose Vellachallil, a local priest at a church in Wayanad and a relative of Paul, a forest watcher who lost his life in a recent encounter with a wild elephant, alleged that the state government hesitates to enforce the existing law.
“There exists a federal law granting the Chief Wildlife Warden the authority to order the elimination of any wild animal encroaching upon human habitats if it poses a threat to life. However, the state government hesitates to utilize this law as it falls under the concurrent list,” Vellachallil asserted. Nonetheless, he stressed the need for amending the Act to address the escalating population of wild animals.
Despite complaints from political parties and community organizations regarding animal attacks, data available from the state Forest Department indicates that the population of wild animals in Kerala and its adjacent forested areas has not witnessed an increase.
Furthermore, forest officials contend that acquiring state-specific population data poses challenges due to the migratory patterns of these animals.