In Kerala's Idukki and Wayanad Districts, a distressing trend has emerged with the loss of at least nine lives in wildlife attacks over the past three months. Increased encounters with elephants, tigers, and wild boars have left the community deeply affected.
Livestock and cherished pets have fallen victim to these encounters as elephants and wild boars venture out of their forest habitats into agricultural areas, leaving farmers distressed.
As Kerala grapples with the alarming escalation of human-animal conflicts, the issue has emerged as a central theme in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress, are advocating for amendments to the Wildlife Act of 1972, which falls under the concurrent list. They argue that revisions are imperative to effectively tackle the rising incidents of human-animal conflicts.
Contrarily, the BJP-led union government asserts that the existing provisions of the Act are adequate to address situations involving aggressive wild animals.
In response to this crisis, the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution on February 14th, urging the Centre to amend the Act and streamline procedures for managing wild animals that pose threats to human life and property.
The proposed amendments include transferring authority from the Chief Wildlife Warden to the Chief Conservators of Forests, aiming to streamline the management of wild animals posing threats to human life.
Former Idukki MP and current LDF candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Joice George, emphasized the significance of maintaining a delicate balance between prey and predator for sustainable wildlife management and ecological preservation. He cited international studies, advocating for the adoption of culling methods to manage wildlife populations effectively.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and Wayanad district panchayat president Samshad Marakkar underscored the urgency of updating laws to adapt to contemporary challenges. He criticized both the state and central governments for what he termed as 'irresponsible' handling of wildlife issues.
Marakkar emphasized that the upcoming elections would revolve around ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens in forested areas.
He anticipated that voters would support candidates who proactively address the human-animal conflict, echoing the sentiments of countless individuals seeking peace and security in their lives.
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