Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Tuesday called for an emergency meeting of senior forest officials for Wednesday in view of more deaths due to human-animal conflict. On Tuesday, three people were trampled to death by wild elephants – one each in Wayanad, Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram.
The death of a 45-year old man in Noolpuzha of Wayanad district sparked widespread outrage and a bandh has been called in the district for Wednesday as the “government failed to check” the encroachment of wild animals into human habitats.
The deceased Manu (45) was killed when he had gone to fetch drinking water. It is reported that Manu's wife was also with him during the attack. However, she has not been found yet. The forest department officials are conducting an inspection in the area.
In Idukki, Sophia, a plantation worker was trampled to death by a wild elephant. A similar death occurred in Thiruvananthapuram district also.
Forest Minister AK Saseendran said the government is trying its best to protect human lives. What more is to be done will be discussed in Wednesday’s emergence meeting.
Considering the rising human-wildlife conflict in forest fringe areas, the government has given priority to conflict mitigation measures in the budget, he said.
A special package will be launched to curb wildlife attacks and protect communities in forest areas and Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for the purpose.
“The focus is on mitigating the conflict and to ensure the safety of the people living in forest fringes. The allocation to mitigate conflict has been enhanced from Rs 48.85 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 70.40 crore in 2025-26, the minister said.
Human-animal conflict is likely to see a rise in the coming days, say environmentalists. This is because as summer intensifies, water sources in forest areas will dry up forcing wild animals to migrate to human habitats, the experts said.
