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Source: The post human-animal conflict in Kerala has been created, based on the article “Why are human-wildlife conflicts escalating in Kerala?” published in “The Hindu” on 20th February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-biodiversity- conservation, environmental impact assessment
News: The article discusses the serious issue of human-animal conflicts in Kerala, India. It highlights the increasing number of incidents, especially involving elephants and wild boars, causing damage and deaths.
What is the current status of human-animal conflict in Kerala?
Kerala faces a significant human-animal conflict, with over 48,000 incidents reported between 2013-14 and 2018-19.
Over 600 people have lost their lives in Kerala since 2015 in conflict with animals.
Elephants are the main culprits, involved in 14,611 incidents.
Wild boars, bonnet macaques, and snakes are also notable for causing conflicts.
Key areas of conflict include Nilambur north, Wayanad south, and Wayanad north forest ranges.
Crop damage and attacks have led to the death or injury of 814 livestock.
Tigers have preyed on 420 of these animals.
What are the reasons for human-animal conflict in Kerala?
Settlements near protected forest: The densely populated human settlements near protected forest regions in Kerala, where forests cover nearly 30% of the geographical area, pose a significant challenge due to the state’s small size, averaging just around 70 km in width, and a population of over 3.46 crore.
Increased Cultivation Near Wildlife Habitats: Expansion of agricultural areas close to wildlife habitats leads to more encounters between humans and animals.
Changing Cropping Patterns: New crop types attract certain wildlife species, increasing conflict incidents.
Population Growth of Protected Animals: Conservation efforts have boosted populations of elephants and tigers, leading to more human-wildlife interactions.
Human and Livestock Movement in Wildlife Areas: Humans and livestock venturing into wildlife habitats, especially at odd hours, increase the chances of encounters.
Habitat Depletion and Fragmentation: Human activities have reduced and fragmented natural habitats, forcing animals like elephants to venture into human settlements.
Invasive Species and Monoculture: The spread of non-native plants and monoculture farming reduces food and water availability for wildlife, pushing them towards inhabited areas.
Prolific Breeders: The rise in numbers of species like wild boars and peacocks contributes to more frequent conflicts.
What should be done?
Implement Effective Fencing: Use elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fences, ensuring they are well-maintained and cover more regions. Follow the ₹620-crore masterplan proposed by the Forest department, including hanging power fences unreachable by elephants.
Eco-restoration Policy: Plant indigenous food plants like wild mango, gooseberry, and jackfruit in forests to reduce animal intrusion into agricultural lands.
Early Warning Systems: Install systems using drones and watchers to track and alert about the movement of dangerous wildlife.
Address Wild Boar Issue: Consider Kerala’s request to declare wild boars as vermin, and explore options like culling, neutering, or relocation.
Question for practice:
Examine the factors contributing to the rising human-animal conflict in Kerala and discuss potential solutions to address this issue.
