Kerala Launches Phased Action Plan To Tackle Human-Wildlife Conflict

The Kerala government has launched an ambitious 45-day intensive campaign aimed at addressing the rising incidents of human-wildlife conflict across the state. The initiative, announced on Sunday, is part of a broader strategy to ensure both human safety and wildlife conservation in vulnerable regions, particularly the state’s hilly and forested areas.

Three Phases To Be Rolled Out

According to reports, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally launched the programme, which will be rolled out in three 15-day phases, targeting solutions at the local, district, and state levels. The drive comes amid growing public concern over frequent encounters with wild animals, especially in areas where agricultural activity borders forest land in Kerala.

The first phase of the campaign will see the establishment of forest department helpdesks in every panchayat located in hilly terrain. These helpdesks will coordinate local-level assessments of conflict-prone zones and facilitate the implementation of immediate, community-based solutions.

The second phase will shift focus to district-level interventions, where coordination between district administrations and multiple departments will be crucial. Phase three will address more complex issues requiring state-level policy decisions.

Food, Water Scarcity Driving Conflict

According to reports, Vijayan stated that the government has divided conflict-prone areas into 12 distinct landscapes, taking into account geography, land use, conflict intensity, and the proximity of human settlements and agricultural fields. He added that a comprehensive human-wildlife conflict mitigation policy is in development, pending final discussions.

Vijayan noted that his government is addressing root causes of the conflict, such as food and water scarcity for wildlife, which often drives animals into inhabited areas.

According to reports, 1,954 km of solar fencing has been repaired and made operational, with work underway to add an additional 794 km. The government is also pushing to replace monoculture plantations under the forest department with native forests, which are more sustainable and beneficial for biodiversity. So far, 1,584 hectares have been converted, with work continuing across another 5,031 hectares.

According to reports, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan revealed that out of 854 wildlife-related deaths recorded in Kerala over the past nine years, snakebites occurring outside forest areas accounted for 594 cases — the vast majority.

Community To The Rescue

In response to the growing number of human-wildlife encounters, the state has established 327 Primary Response Teams, comprising 3,255 trained volunteers across affected regions. Kerala is reportedly the first state in India to implement such a community-based response system aimed at providing rapid assistance during wildlife incidents and improving coordination between residents and forest officials.

The initiative underscores Kerala’s commitment to balancing ecological protection with the safety and livelihood of its people, amid growing challenges posed by climate change, shrinking habitats, and increasing wildlife movement.

(With inputs from various sources.)