Published Mar 04, 2026 | 8:35 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 04, 2026 | 8:35 AM
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar handing over Kumki elephant documents to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. (File photo)
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan launched the “Hanuman” project to address human–wildlife conflict in the state. He described the initiative as a scientific and structured mechanism to reduce friction between expanding human habitations and natural habitats.
In a significant policy intervention to address human–wildlife conflict, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday, 3 March, launched what is billed as the “Hanuman” project, a technology-driven initiative to protect both forest-dwelling wildlife and vulnerable rural communities.
Unveiled at the Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) 6th Battalion Parade Grounds in Mangalagiri, the programme formally titled Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife (HANUMAN) marks a shift in the state’s approach — from reactive handling of wildlife incidents to a coordinated, rapid-response and prevention-based initiative.
Flagging off over 100 specially equipped vehicles, including Rapid Response and Rescue units and wildlife ambulances, the deputy chief minister described the initiative as a scientific and structured mechanism to reduce friction between expanding human habitations and natural habitats.
Recent years have seen a steady increase in cases of crop damage, livestock loss, elephant intrusions and occasional human casualties in districts surrounded by forests. During the 2025–26 financial year alone, 2,107 cases of human–wildlife conflict were recorded across the state, with nearly ₹4 crore disbursed as compensation.
Pawan Kalyan said the initiative is rooted in India’s philosophical ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, underlining that wildlife conservation and human security must go hand in hand to preserve ecological balance.
The project’s operational backbone includes 93 Rapid Response and Rescue vehicles and seven wildlife ambulances equipped to provide on-site veterinary care and safe transport of injured animals. Each vehicle will be staffed by a Forest Range Officer, veterinary personnel, para-veterinary staff and trained tribal helpers to ensure swift and informed intervention.
Besides, Wildlife Rescue and Treatment Centres have been established at Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Bhairluti, supported by 19 dedicated Rapid Response teams positioned in vulnerable zones.
The project also incorporates an AI-based pilot system to monitor wildlife movement along forest borders. Integrated with GPS-enabled tracking and a dedicated digital application, the system aims to provide early warnings to villages before animal movement escalates into conflict.
If implemented effectively, this predictive monitoring could shift the focus from post-incident damage control to preventive management.
In a departure from purely departmental action, the Forest Department has initiated the creation of village-level ‘Vajra’ (Wildlife Rakshak) teams. These trained local volunteers will handle snake rescues and minor wildlife incursions within villages, reducing dependence on distant officials and curbing panic-driven reactions that often aggravate conflict.
The emphasis on decentralised response reflects an understanding that many wildlife incidents begin at the local level and escalate due to delayed intervention.
One of the critical aspects of managing public anger in wildlife conflict zones is timely compensation. The state government has enhanced ex-gratia compensation for death in wildlife attacks from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, while injury compensation has been fixed at ₹2 lakh. Livestock loss will be compensated based on market value.
The integration of compensation disbursement into the Hanuman framework is intended to streamline processing and improve response time, a longstanding grievance among affected families.
The elephant corridor issue remains acute in districts such as Chittoor, Srikakulam and Parvathipuram. In coordination with Karnataka authorities, four trained ‘kumki’ elephants have been deployed. Officials reported eight successful operations so far, aimed at steering wild elephants away from habitation zones.
While kumki operations are resource-intensive, they provide a controlled method of managing elephant movement without resorting to lethal measures.
The Hanuman project reflects a multi-dimensional strategy combining technology, infrastructure, financial security, inter-state coordination and community participation. It attempts to institutionalise wildlife conflict mitigation rather than treating it as episodic administrative challenges.
For now, the state has positioned itself at the forefront of human–wildlife conflict management, seeking to harmonise conservation with community safety in an ecological landscape where there is acute competition for resources between human beings and animals.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
