Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister V D Satheesan said the state would exert strong pressure on Centre to find a lasting solution to human-wildlife conflict and would work to substantially increase compensation for loss of life and crop damage.Speaking at the inauguration of a conference of ministers, MPs and MLAs to discuss the draft plan for human-wildlife coexistence on Wednesday, Satheesan said that a special delegation, including elected representatives, would approach Centre and demand that the state be given the authority to classify wild boars as vermin and to regulate wildlife population.He also said govt would discuss with Centre the possibility of relocating excess tigers from areas such as Wayanad where there are more than 100 in around 350 sq km to other tiger reserves.Satheesan said that compensation for families of those killed in wildlife attacks and for farmers whose crops are destroyed would be increased. He said govt wanted to increase the compensation for crop loss to 100%.He stressed the need to bridge the gap between forest officers and farmers and create a more cooperative atmosphere.A permanent solution to human-wildlife conflict, he said, was possible only if local bodies, public representatives, the forest department and the public work together. He assured farmers and ordinary residents living in fear along forest fringes that govt stood with them.The forest department has suggested a seven-point initiative for next-generation human-wildlife conflict management as part of a draft action plan.The proposals include MLA-level management committees; landscape-level command-and-control centres; the expansion of Kumki squads and Gaja patrolling; technology-enabled mitigation tools including drones, real-time patrolling and an AI-based predictive early-warning and deterrence system; the promotion of wildlife-resilient agriculture; a study on the impact of climate change on wildlife; and the creation of a corpus fund for the maintenance of these assets.Forest minister Shibu Baby John said that MLAs should promote smart agriculture in their constituencies to prevent human-wildlife conflict. “Farmers can cultivate ginger, lemon and lemon grass. Lemon grass has good commercial potential. There is a need to educate people,” he said.He also said that committees at constituency (with MLA as chairperson), regional and panchayat levels will be formed to manage human-wildlife conflict.John also urged MLAs to fund the purchase of all-terrain vehicles because rapid response teams can travel only along roads. “The all-terrain vehicles will allow RRT personnel to travel into forest interiors. Now, they have to trek using sticks.”He also said that there is a plan to have smart solar hanging fencing in constituencies that share a border with a forest and create a situation for MLAs to monitor.Chief wildlife warden P Pugazhendi suggested a fund requirement of Rs 314.80cr at the state level and Rs 724.67cr in 14 landscapes for human-wildlife conflict management for the next three years.He also said the emerging approach involves landscape-level planning across forest divisions, corridors and conflict zones; preventive and proactive responses based on risk mapping; an integrated approach to habitat management, barriers, early-warning systems and community inputs; and a focus on animal routes, ecological connectivity and human-use patterns, along with site- and species-specific interventions.
