NEW DELHI: On Monday, Priyanka Gandhi raised the pressing issue of human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad during Parliament’s question hour, seeking adequate compensation for victims of such attacks. The Wayanad MP highlighted that approximately 90 individuals have fallen victim to human-wildlife conflicts within her constituency over the past year.
During her supplementary question in Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi referred to a recent incident where one person died and another sustained grievous injuries in an elephant attack in Wayanad. She questioned the government on whether compensation for ordinary people and farmers would be increased in cases involving animal attacks on humans. Man-animal conflict was also a major issue raised by Priyanka and other candidates during the recent election.
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Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav responded to Priyanka’s question, stating that a team of central government officials led by him has visited three taluks in the Wayanad constituency to assess the situation. Initiatives are being undertaken in collaboration with the Forest Department and the district administration.
Wayanad and many other parts of Kerala have been facing increasing wildlife encounters which include fatal incidents involving elephants, tigers, leopards, and wild boars. According to government records, 915 people have died and 7,919 have been injured in human-animal conflicts over the past nine years.
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Representatives of the Kerala and Karnataka governments have signed an interstate agreement to address the challenges posed by wild animals encroaching into human settlements. The agreement focuses on several important aspects, including identifying the root causes of human-wildlife conflicts, delineating conflict zones, streamlining intervention processes to minimize delays, exchanging rapid information, and sharing resources and services.
Local farmers and residents have repeatedly criticized the Forest Department for its indifferent approach to such a major issue. However, the authorities claim that habitat preservation issues are being addressed and conflict management strategies are being developed. The geographical terrain of Wayanad makes many parts of the district vulnerable to human-animal conflict as it borders protected areas.
Additionally, the National Highway 766 (NH766) has been a significant factor contributing to human-animal conflicts in the region. The highway cuts through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve which led to frequent encounters between wildlife and vehicles. This has resulted in numerous accidents and fatalities for both humans and animals. Efforts are being made to mitigate these conflicts, including the construction of underpasses and overpasses to facilitate safe wildlife crossings.
