The chief minister directed officials to set up a command and control centre as well as a war room comprising revenue, police, and forest officials, and to ensure that Rapid Response Teams are made permanent.
A wild elephant in Muthanga of Wayanad district in Kerala. (Kerala Tourism)
With several animal attacks reported recently from Wayanad, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, 15 February, held a meeting with people’s representatives from the mountainous district and issued a slew of directions to prevent human-animal encounters.
In the meeting, Vijayan pointed out that human-animal conflict has been on the rise in Wayanad and therefore measures have to be taken to ensure that humans are not harmed, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
The chief minister directed officials to set up a command and control centre as well as a war room comprising revenue, police, and forest officials, and to ensure that Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are made permanent, the statement said.
Vijayan also emphasised the need to strengthen warning systems to alert people about wild animal presence in their area by making use of radio, community radio, wireless systems, and WhatsApp groups, it said.
Additionally, new fencing methods will be tested to keep large wildlife out and efforts would be made to clear undergrowth in private estates by using workers under the Employment Guarantee Scheme, he said in the meeting.
“The most important thing is to save the people. There should be vigilance so that no more lives are lost. Existing trenches and fencing, if any, should be restored immediately,” the chief minister instructed officials in the meeting, it said.
The chief minister also announced that steps have been taken to provide around ₹11.5 crore as compensation for those killed and injured in wildlife attacks.
Besides that, the government is also considering providing financial assistance to those who go to private hospitals for treatment for injuries from wild animal attacks, Vijayan said.
The meeting also came out with directions for resorts near forests to avoid attracting wild animals and to regulate DJ parties at night.
It also directed the strengthening of monitoring and patrolling activities along the borders, especially at night, the statement said.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of a wild elephant, code named Belur Makhna, that had crossed over to Wayanad from the Karnataka forests, trampled a 42-year-old man on Saturday, 10 February.
(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)
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