Union Environment and Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav made a visit to Wayanad following the tragic loss of three lives due to animal attacks. During his visit, Bhupendra Yadav extensively discussed the strategies that will be put in place to address the ongoing human-wildlife conflict prevalent in the southern state.
In a meeting held with officials and community representatives in Wayanad to address recent animal attacks, Bhupender Yadav highlighted several key points. He emphasized that the compensation provided by the central government has been augmented from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ensuring expeditious disbursement of this enhanced compensation to the affected families by the state government.
Touching upon the issue of seeking permission from the central government to capture wild animals, the Union minister clarified that the state possesses the requisite authority to take action against problematic wildlife without the need for additional permissions.
"Following Section 11 of the Wildlife Act 1972, the chief wildlife warden is vested with sufficient powers to trap, apprehend, or, if necessary, eliminate problematic animals," he elucidated.
However, Bhupender Yadav underscored the need for the state government to exercise this authority prudently and with due caution.
Significantly, incidents in February saw the loss of two lives, including that of a forest department official, due to elephant attacks, while another individual fell victim to a tiger attack in December 2023.
Detailing the measures aimed at mitigating the human-wildlife conflict, the Union Minister emphasized the steps taken by the Centre, including the augmentation of compensation for victims and increased funding allocation across various schemes.
"After consultations with senior forest officials and scientists in Wayanad, it has become evident that ensuring the safety of both humans and animals is of paramount importance," he remarked.
Efforts to address the conflict entail the implementation of an early warning system and the adoption of modern technologies for animal geotagging.
"We must establish an early warning system and leverage modern technologies for the geotagging of elephants. Initiatives such as community radio or coordination programs for raising awareness could also be explored," the minister proposed.
Furthermore, Bhupender Yadav revealed plans for the establishment of a shared interstate wildlife corridor spanning Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, aimed at fostering better wildlife management and conservation efforts across the region.
