Thiruvananthapuram: A team of ministers led by forest minister Shibu Baby John will visit Aralam Farm in Kannur to assess the measures being carried out to reduce human-wildlife conflict. The settlement has witnessed several incidents of wild elephant intrusion, resulting in injuries and deaths.In Feb, a resident, Aneesh A S, was killed in elephant attack. Following the incident, the high court criticised the administration and summoned senior officials, seeking a comprehensive roadmap to prevent human-wildlife conflict. Other ministers in the team include electricity and environment minister Sunny Joseph, SC/ST and backward welfare minister K A Thulasi and public works minister P K Basheer. The decision was made at a ministerial meeting held in the chamber of the forest minister on Wednesday.John directed that the elephant wall being built at Farm under the supervision of the high court should be completed by Dec, and that the buildings wing of the PWD should review it. In areas where construction of the elephant wall is not feasible, other strong protective measures will be put in place, he added.The meeting also reviewed the progress of undergrowth clearance and vista clearance. Rehabilitation of the farm residents will be completed in a time-bound manner based on the views of residents as well. While setting up protective systems around the farm, ways to prevent elephants from moving into other inhabited areas should also be checked, it was decided.
