Thiruvananthapuram: The state received Rs 6.4 crore under the combined Project Tiger and Project Elephant scheme in 2025-26, up from the Rs 2.21 crore allotted the previous year to protect the habitats of these animals. The details were presented in Parliament by minister of state for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh in response to a question on mitigating human-wildlife conflict.The allocation is lower than the funding provided under the centrally sponsored schemes in 2022-23, when the projects were separate. That year, Project Tiger received Rs 4.18 crore and Project Elephant Rs 2.70 crore — a total of Rs 6.88 crore.The two projects, which were crucial to improving their habitats and protecting the animals from extinction, were merged by Union govt in 2023-24.Sources said the reduction in central funding following the merger could be harmful at a time when the state is facing severe habitat loss and increasing human-wildlife conflict. Nevertheless, the state govt has sanctioned Rs 3.50 crore as its share for elephant habitat protection. Of this, Rs 17 lakh will be used for research and development. Additional funds have also been allocated to tiger reserves.Wildlife experts said the merger of the two projects had not benefited the conservation of these animals. However, the state govt has sought to offset the reduction in central funding through need-based allocations in its budget.The allocation is also lower than those made to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which share elephant and tiger habitats with Kerala.The state received Rs 5.97 crore from the Centre for the development of wildlife habitats in 2025-26, down from the Rs 9 crore allotted the previous year.In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the minister said states seek financial assistance through an annual plan of operations, based on statutory wildlife management plans for protected areas and tiger conservation plans for tiger reserves. He added that Kerala had fully utilised the financial assistance provided over the past four years.
